Longtime Montgomery business leader Chester Mallory dies at 82

This week, local business owner Chester Mallory is remembered as a man who started his career in real estate but built his life on helping generations of young Montgomery families.

The longtime civic leader, Alabama State University educator and owner of Mallory Realty died in December. 17 years old, 82 years old. A cause of death was not released, but friends and colleagues say Mallory has been dealing with health issues in recent years. Still, until this year he remained active on local leadership committees, including the Montgomery Airport Authority and the Montgomery City and County Public Library.

“He just kept going,” said Sandra Nickell, a real estate colleague who serves on the airport’s board with Mallory. “He had a servant’s heart.”

People who were influenced by him over the years shared their memories of Mallory after his death, including students and nonprofits.

Mona Taylor-Davis of the Gift of Life Foundation said Mallory serves on the board of the nonprofit, which provides home visits and parenting education to mothers at risk of infant death. Mallory is also a frequent donor and volunteer with the organization, and Taylor-Davis said he was always eager to play Santa for the kids in the program.

At one such event, Taylor-Davis noticed that St. Mallory would give each child a $2 bill. When she asked why, Mallory told her the notes were “uncommon, rare and special”.

“He wanted the kids to know they were special,” she said.

ASU President Quinton Ross praised the former psychology teacher for his decades of impact both in and out of the classroom, noting Mallory’s particular interest in helping young people and underserved families.