Charles Michael McInnish

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Charles Michael McInnish (age 77), better known as Mickey or Big Mac, on April 7th, 2025.  He was born October 6, 1947, in Birmingham, AL.  He was preceded in death by his parents Howell Mason and Karma Lou McInnish and his sister Mary Anne McInnish Patterson.  He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sue Henson McInnish.  They have three children Chris McInnish (Heather), Clay McInnish (Michele), and Cathy Moorer (Dale); eight grandchildren Collin McInnish (Kaitlyn), Caitlin McInnish, Peyton Waples (Michael), JT Moorer (Ella Beth), Caroline McInnish, Hampton McInnish, Mac Moorer, and Sam Moorer; and two great grandchildren, Carter and Cambryn McInnish.

At the age of 12, Mickey and his family moved to Andalusia, AL.  His natural musical talent, including his perfect pitch, was nurtured by his mother, who started  teaching him piano lessons at the age of 4.  He further flourished under the outstanding Andalusia School System. He was an accompanist for choral groups in Andalusia and the All-State Chorus, won the WSFA search for talent playing piano on TV and the State Fair, played oboe, and was the second chair in the All-State Band.

At 9, he began lessons on his lifetime musical instrument, the organ.  During high school, his parents drove him to Montgomery  to take organ from the renowned organist, Dr. Harold Rohling. Mickey played for many churches in Andalusia.

Mickey spent his freshman year at Huntingdon College and then transferred to Auburn University where he met and married his life partner, Sue.  During his three years at Auburn, he was organist at First Baptist Church of Auburn and played for the Auburn Concert Choir. After graduation, he attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as a music major.  After seminary graduation, Mickey became the Minister of Music at Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, Southside Baptist Church in Birmingham, and Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida.

At the age of 29, Mickey & Sue left Florida (and full-time music ministry) with their three young children, to live in Montgomery where Mickey enrolled in Jones Law School, located then at Huntingdon College. While at Jones, he served as the organist at Morningview Baptist Church in Montgomery and worked in the State Legislative Reference Service. After graduation, he began his over 40-year legal career when he and former Montgomery mayor, Bobby Bright, began their law firm, McInnish and Bright. 

Through his legal work, Mickey became quite an expert in public housing representing close to 70 different public housing authorities (PHA).  In 1989, he helped establish the Alabama Task Force which wrote policies and conducted training for PHAs across the state.  Mickey helped to create the Alabama Housing Authority Education and Enrichment Fund which is responsible for awarding scholarships for young people from housing communities where he served as president of the fund for the first 10 years.  In 1999, he also helped to create the Housing Authority Defense Attorney’s Association.

Mickey served as the legal representative for the Montgomery Housing Authority. He eventually joined their staff as their in-house counsel and then became the Executive Director where he served for five years earning the 2004 Alabama Executive Director of the Year. In 2003, he was appointed by the Secretary of HUD to serve on the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. He was recognized by Housing Directors and Commissioners as the person to contact for training or advice. 

His experience at Montgomery Housing Authority provided him with his most valuable training material.  As a consultant, he presented at workshops and seminars across the country.  He also presented over 250 televised programs for Housing Television Network.  His work around public housing continued until his death and reached far beyond Alabama. 

Mickey went on to work as Senior Staff Attorney for the City of Montgomery where one of his major accomplishments was developing the Internal Affairs Department. Until his retirement in 2021, he represented the city’s legal department at Internal Affairs and personnel cases and issues.  Another accomplishment was the development of a comprehensive Personnel Manual, which he revised and taught each year to various city departments.

Mickey became well respected among Alabama municipal lawyers.  He served on numerous committees and became a frequent presenter for the Alabama League of Municipalities, serving as their President 2019.

For many years, Mickey was very active in the Sunrise Rotary Club in Montgomery having served as the Local President, Assistant District Governor, and Annual Convention Chair for multiple years.  During this time, he received numerous Rotary honors at the District and Local levels.

God blessed Mickey with an incredible music talent which he used to serve the church throughout his life.  He was a founding member and accompanist of the Singing Men, a chorus of select Southern Baptist music ministers.  In 2023 he participated in their 50 year anniversary.  While in Montgomery, he and Sue were members of Morningview Baptist Church, Memorial Presbyterian Church, and were founding members of Immanuel Presbyterian Church where he played the organ and directed the choir.  In 2001, Mickey and Sue moved their membership to First United Methodist Church where he enjoyed sitting in the pew and listening to the outstanding worship music, an experience he enjoyed the rest of his life.  He was so happy to answer the call to play the organ for worship and special services and served as accompanist for the Side By Side choir of the FUMC Respite Program.  No doubt, his most cherished music moment was being able to play the Mormon Tabernacle organ while vacationing in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Mickey’s talents and interests truly made him a genuine Renaissance Man. He earned his pilot’s license, spent several years as an AHSAA baseball umpire, was an avid golfer, scuba diver, played tennis, and many other unusual activities throughout his life. His first heart attack in 1995 ignited a passion for cooking that lasted until his final day preparing a meal for Sue and him to enjoy.  You could always see Mickey wearing his “Happy” socks.

Above all, Mickey loved his family.  From his almost perfect relationship with Sue for over a half century that modeled what true partnership in marriage is really like, to raising three strong children, he was always there.  The McInnish’s were honored in 1991 as Family of the Year based on this commitment by Mickey and Sue.  He not only supported his children, but he also loved playing with them.  As his children became adults, he adopted their spouses as his own and when they had kids he became Big Mac.  With all the vast accomplishments in his life, nothing compares to his devotion to his family as a husband, father, and Big Mac.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 11 at 11:00 am at First United Methodist Church, 2416 West Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, AL 36106. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Music Ministry (https://pushpay.com/g/fumcmontgomery?src=hpp) or a charitable organization of your choice.  

As we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time, we would also like to express our utmost gratitude to you for entrusting us with your loved one. Magnolia Cremations & Funeral Services.

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