Soon Bok Sellers

Soon-Bok Lee Sellers, age 90, of Hoover, Alabama, passed away at home, surrounded by family, on October 9, 2025. A beloved educator, mentor, advocate, and leader, she leaves behind a legacy in arts education and in the lives of countless students across Alabama.

Soon-Bok Lee Sellers was born in Seoul, Korea, and moved to the United States, continuing her education at Howard University, now known as Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating, she began her teaching career in 1965 with Jefferson County Schools. During her years in the classroom, she is estimated to have directly influenced more than 3,000 students.

She served as Chair of Fine Arts at both Berry High School and Hoover High School, later working as an art specialist and Art Coordinator for Hoover City Schools. She also collaborated closely with the Hoover City Schools Board of Education and served on the Jefferson County Board of Education for more than 25 years. Under her leadership, Hoover City Schools earned top honors from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and was twice recognized as having the best art program in the state.

Mrs. Sellers retired from classroom teaching in 1997 but continued her lifelong advocacy for the arts through her work with school boards and community organizations. Known for her patience, encouragement, and personal investment in her students, she nurtured creativity wherever she found it. She believed art was for everyone and worked to show students that meaningful careers in the arts were attainable. Many fine artists, commercial artists, educators, designers, and creative professionals credit her with helping them discover their talents and guiding their paths.

Throughout her distinguished career, she received numerous honors, including Alabama Art Educator of the Year, the National Art Education Association's Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement and Exemplary Service, and recognition as a Woman of Consequence by the Birmingham International Center. She was also honored by the Federation of Korean Associations, the Korean Association of Greater Birmingham, and Hoover City Schools. In recognition of her lasting impact, the art gallery at Hoover's Community Education Center and the Soon-Bok Lee Sellers Art Gallery at Bluff Park Community School were named in her honor.

Soon-Bok Lee Sellers was preceded in death by her husband, Conway Sellers. She is survived by her son, Victor Lee Sellers (Teri), and grandson, Noah; and by her daughter, Sylvia Sellers Richey (Steve), and grandchildren Spencer, Seth, Sarah Jane, and Ruthie.

An open house Celebration of Life will be held on March 1, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Hoover Randle Home and Gardens, 2255 Tyler Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. The home features beautiful gardens and inviting spaces for family, friends, and community to gather in remembrance. Please stop by to share memories, food and drink and celebrate a life well-lived.

Memorials may be made to the Bluff Park Art Association, P.O. Box 26012, Birmingham, AL 35260, or via PayPal at
https://www.bluffparkartassociation.org/sponsoship