The City of Gadsden is mourning the loss of former Mayor Sherman Guyton, who passed away on Saturday, June 21, at the age of 79.

Mayor Craig Ford and city officials expressed their condolences to the Guyton family and praised the former mayor’s long-standing dedication to improving the city.

“Mayor Guyton was a great leader for Gadsden for many years, but more importantly, he was a great man,” Ford said. “We want to make sure that Debra, Grace, and their family know that we’re thinking about them and praying for them at this time.”

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Guyton was one of only three individuals to serve as mayor of Gadsden in the past 35 years. First elected in 2006, he led the city until 2022, overseeing transformative projects and guiding the city through pivotal times, including the late-2000s recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During my time in the Legislature, I was able to work alongside him for many years on projects for Gadsden, and it’s been an honor to follow him as mayor,” Ford said. “Mayor Guyton made countless improvements to the city over more than a decade and a half in office. He also helped guide Gadsden through tough times, like the recession in the late 2000s and the recent pandemic.

“No matter the situation, Mayor Guyton and his administration were responsible stewards of taxpayers’ money. They left a wonderful base to keep building on, and we’ve been able to continue making great progress for the city over the last three years,” Ford added.

Among his many accomplishments, Guyton prioritized promoting capital investment to attract jobs to the area. His administration spearheaded major projects such as The Venue at Coosa Landing and Riverwalk Park at Coosa Landing, which revitalized Gadsden’s riverfront. He also championed improvements at Noccalula Falls and in the downtown district, and helped establish the Gadsden Sports Park on the Gadsden State Community College campus.

A lifelong Gadsden resident, Guyton graduated from Emma Sansom High School in 1963 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University. He later received his education certification from the University of Alabama and pursued graduate work at UAB and Livingston University.

His professional career included work at the Goodyear Warehouse, years spent as a teacher and coach, and nearly three decades as owner of Sherman Guyton Realty, which he operated from 1977 until taking office in 2006.

“In one way or another, he touched the lives of every citizen of Gadsden by making this city better, and that’s an incredible legacy to leave behind,” Ford said.