Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

According to a release from Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, former United States Congressman Terry Everett – who represented Alabama’s Second District – has passed away.

Everett – a resident of Rehobeth – represented Alabama’s Second District – which covers Pike County – in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 until 2009.

“I am saddened to share the word of the passing of longtime Alabama Congressman Terry Everett,” Ivey said in a statement. “Congressman Everett passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning at his home in Rehobeth. Terry tirelessly served the people of Southeast Alabama and his native Wiregrass with distinction for eight terms in Congress.

“During his time on Capitol Hill, he was one of the strongest voices for Alabama’s military bases, active duty personnel and veterans. He was also a stalwart advocate for Alabama farmers and small businesses. Alabama greatly benefited from his leadership and his devotion to public service.”

Everett spent his life in the Wiregrass, having graduated from Enterprise State Community College – then known as Enterprise State Junior College – and served in the U.S. Air Force. After serving in the military, he began a career in journalism as a reporter for the Dothan Eagle. He was the publisher and editor for various newspapers in the area before starting Down Home Today in Dothan and Daleville Today in Daleville. He would go on to found numerous others other newspapers – through his Gulf Cost Media – throughout the Southeast.

He also owned and operated a construction company in Enterprise and served on the board of the Alabama Press Association and was president of the Daleville Chamber of Commerce.

Troy University’s Wiregrass Archives are home to the R. Terry Everett Congressional Library, which consists of 195 cubic feet of records of Everett’s congressional activities and constituent files.

Ivey has directed the flags at the Alabama Capitol Complex and the flags in Alabama’s Second District to be lowered until the day of Everett’s interment.