Jeremy Lespi died Dec. 28, 2007. after a lingering fight with multiple health problems. He is survived by his mother, Jenny Lespi; sister, Nicole Rose and her family,

John and Madeline. He is also survived by numerous relatives in Alabama and the Jim Bohanon family in Conyers, Ga.

In addition to his family members, Jeremy has left behind a host of friends from all over the United States and abroad.

Jeremy was a graduate of Shelby County High School. He attended the University of Montevallo, where he received his Master’s Degree. He received his Doctoral Degree in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Jeremy traveled extensively in Europe, and taught at La’Abbey in Pontlevoy, France near Paris for several semesters. He taught at Gulf Coast Community College in Mississippi, directed the Writing Center at SMU, and was currently teaching graduate courses at The University of Alabama. He was one of the editors of the Black Warrior Review Literary Magazine.

Jeremy has had numerous pieces published in various literary journals. His joy in life were his books, his writing, the Arts, his family and his friends from around the world.

Jeremy will forever be missed by anyone who knew him and shared in his joy of friendship and family. Jeremy would know how sad everyone is, but the family wants you all to know how much he loved you, and valued each and every friendship.

He will want you to celebrate his life as you mourn his passing.

Thank you for the friendships from around the world, the way you remembered him and brought joy to his life in such a variety of ways.

Jeremy truly valued and cared about you all so much.

We want you to know that.

The funeral service for Jeremy will be 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, at Bolton Letlow Chapel. Burial followed in Columbiana City Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The Family of Robert Jeremy Lespi, PhD.

Bolton-Letlow Funeral Home directed