They were veterans and accountants. They were musicians and nurses. They were friends and fathers and mothers.

These are the stories behind the tragic and growing number of coronavirus-related deaths in Alabama.

Alabama Media Group is dedicated to sharing as many stories as we can of the lives of Alabamians lost to COVID-19. This article will be updated as the list of victims continues to grow.

Albert Johnson Trousdale

Albert Johnson Trousdale

Albert Johnson Trousdale, 78, was a 21-year veteran of the United States Army and Alabama National Guard, and spent 31 years working for Monsanto in Decatur. Trousdale died early March 26 at Huntsville Hospital, just five days after he was diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19. In Trousdale’s final moments, a nurse FaceTimed with the family to allow them to say their goodbyes and see what was happening, according to WAAY 31, since they were unable to be by his side in the hospital due to regulations stemming from the contagiousness of the virus.

Wayman Henry

Mobile guitarist Wayman Henry, 66, died on March 27, 2020. (Photo by Ruth Spicer)

Wayman Henry, 66, was a jazz, blues, gospel and rock guitarist who played shows across the South. Henry died on March 27 in Mobile, and left a musical legacy that included teaching youth how to play guitar, said Sylvester Parsons, a fellow musician and manager of bands that Henry played in. “He always brought joy wherever he went,” Parsons said. “He was a mentor for younger guys learning to play guitar,” Parsons said.

Tim Gaston

Tim Gaston, 73, died on March 27 of COVID-19. (Facebook photo)

Tim Gaston was a retired Mobile accountant and Vietnam veteran who will be remembered for his generosity. Gaston, 73, died on March 27 in Baldwin County. “He would do anything for anybody and was supportive of people in need in the community,” said Pratt Paterson, executive director of Wilmer Hall Children’s Home in Mobile, which Gaston financially supported. "His smile could light up a room. He was humble but full of life,” said his daughter, Kathryn Douglas, in a post on Facebook.

Ronald “Ronnie” Jay Rich

Ronald “Ronnie” Jay Rich, 65, died March 28 in Fort Lauderdale where he had moved after his retirement. He leaves behind four adult children. (Contributed)

Ronald “Ronnie” Jay Rich was born and raised in Birmingham. He attended Mountain Brook High School and graduated from the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Million Dollar Band. Family said he was a talented musician who played many instruments and served as the band director at Hanceville High School and Grissom High School. He died March 28 in Fort Lauderdale at age 65. “He had a big heart and cared for his friends and family. His advice was second to none and he always ended up being right," his obituary states.

Riley Ray Rumrill

Riley Ray Rumrill

Riley Ray Rumrill, a graduate of Jacksonville State University from Rainbow City, moved to Boston four years ago after taking a liking to the city. Rumrill, 31, died March 29 at Boston Medical Center, where he was admitted the week prior with a 104-degree fever and shortness of breath. “He was the most warm, kindhearted, outgoing person," his brother Rob said. "He genuinely cared about what other people thought and what other people were feeling — not necessarily toward him, but toward other people…. He was the person in the room who brought the life to the party.”

Rose Harrison

Rose Harrison died from COVID-19 after working at a nursing home among infected staff and residents

Rose Harrison, a nurse at Marion Regional Nursing Home in Hamilton, died March 30. “Her family was her whole world,” her youngest daughter, Jessica Black said. “And she stood strong for us. And I think that’s part of what brought her down. She was trying to be strong. She didn’t want her family to know how sick she really was.”

Keith Taylor

Keith Taylor

Keith Taylor, 33, of McIntosh died April 1 in Washington County after testing positive for coronavirus. Taylor’s mother, Vivian Taylor, told The Washington County News her son was a Waffle House worker who loved football, basketball and his friends. “He was my lovable child,” she said. “He was a good son.”

Jerry Williamson

Frances and Jerry Williamson

After more than 50 years of marriage, Jerry Williamson and his wife Frances Jewel Bond Williamson, died April 1, six minutes apart, still holding hands, the Sun-Herald reported. Jerry, a native of Tuscaloosa, and Frances, of Wiggins, Miss., contracted coronavirus while on a cruise. Both were 72. Jerry Williamson was devoted fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide. A pastor donned a Crimson Tide hat in his honor at the funeral. Jerry Williamson worked in the U.S. Navy as a public works supervisors at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport. Frances had spent her life in the medical field working as a phlebotomist, or healthcare professional trained to draw blood from patients.

Lorianne Grimsley Shakespear

Lorianne Grimsley Shakespear

Lorianne Grimsley Shakespear, a retired registered nurse, died April 5 in Birmingham, just two days after testing positive for COVID-19. She was 58. Her brother, state Rep. Dexter Grimsley, said the Abbeville native was a mother and grandmother who spent her life caring for her family. “Since she was born, we sort of knew nursing was her field because cared about people and was always concerned about the well-being of others. She loved God, and she was a Christian, and she really was just an all-around good person who loved to see other people happy.”

The Rev. Eddie Lee Hunter

The Rev. Eddie Lee Hunter (Contributed)

The Rev. Eddie Lee Hunter served as pastor of Miracle Missionary Baptist Church and also as the president of the Northeast District Baptist Convention. Hunter, 68, died on April 5 in Alexander City. “Rev. Hunter was a very humble individual. He wasn’t too flashy, but you always somehow felt his spirit,’’ said Valarie Oliver, a relative and church member. “He was what I would call a silent leader. When he did speak it was powerful and meaningful. He loved his community and his church congregation.”

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This article contains work from AL.com reporters Greg Garrison, Tom Green Carol Robinson and MassLive reporter Michelle Williams.

To share the stories of Alabamians you know who have died of coronavirus, please email jgray@al.com.