An Easter morning accident on Highway 119 near Burger King killed an Alabaster man and left his wife critically injured as the couple was on their way to church.

Roy Hixson and his wife, Mary, were taken to UAB Hospital in Birmingham following the accident, where Roy later succumbed to the fatal injuries.

Mark Davenport, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster (Cumberland), said the couple had been attending the church for one and a half years and had officially joined the church a year ago.

Davenport said the church received a call about the accident around 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Davenport visited Mary at UAB on Monday, saying she would recover from the injuries, although it would take time.

Davenport said the couple had really embraced the church, just as the church had embraced the couple.

“They were a delightful couple,” Davenport said.

Sandra Thames attended church with the couple and she said they will truly be missed.

“They were as sweet as they could be. I just loved them,” Thames said. “Roy had such a great sense of humor.”

Funeral arrangements for Roy have not been finalized.