CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Electric Cooperative is mourning the unexpected passing of longtime employee Terry Graham, whose 52 years of service touched generations of co-op employees, members and community leaders across the utility’s service area.
The co-op announced Graham’s death in a memorial post this week.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our co-worker Terry Graham,” the co-op said. “Terry was truly the heart and soul of this co-op for the past 52 years. His impact on our employees, members, and community will never be forgotten.”
The co-op remembered Graham not only for his work, but also for the way he treated people.
“No one cared more deeply about serving others than Terry,” the co-op said. “He led with humility, kindness and compassion, showing Christ’s love through his actions every single day.”
Graham’s career stretched across more than half of the co-op’s history. The co-op, organized in 1936, began when 14 Cullman County farmers worked to bring electricity to rural parts of the county after being turned down for service. According to the co-op’s history, it energized its first lines Aug. 4, 1936, serving 350 customers across 30 miles of line.
Today, the co-op serves more than 48,000 member accounts across Cullman, Winston, Morgan and Lawrence counties.
For decades, Graham’s role placed him in direct contact with co-op members and businesses. The co-op’s public materials identified him as key accounts manager, a position focused on helping commercial and industrial members with questions and needs specific to larger electric service users.
The co-op’s commercial and industrial member information noted that those members require “special attention and knowledge of the electric industry.”
His 52-year tenure carried through a period of major change for the co-op, from traditional electric service and line work to modern grid upgrades, member technology and the launch of Sprout Fiber Internet.
Tribune archives show the co-op announced Sprout Fiber Internet in June 2020 as part of an effort to expand rural broadband access and later celebrated the first Sprout customers being connected in January 2021.
Those larger changes marked a new era for the co-op, but Graham’s remembrance centered on something more personal: service.
In its memorial post, the co-op said Graham’s care for others and steady presence would continue to shape the people who worked with him.
“His legacy of service and care will continue to inspire all of us,” it said.
The co-op asked the community to remember Graham’s family, friends, co-workers and all who loved him.
“Please keep Terry’s family, friends and all who loved him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” it said. “He will be greatly missed.”
Funeral arrangements had not been included in the co-op’s public memorial post. The Tribune will update this story when official obituary or service details are released.
