Michele (Mickey) Lee Self

Michele “Mickey” Lee Self of Trussville passed away suddenly on October 1, 2026 at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham, AL. She was born on May 29, 1959 in Aurora, IL, the daughter of the late Patrick L. and Elaine J. (Johnson) Tate.

Michele was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose welcoming smile opened hearts and created immediate and meaningful connections. She was empathetic to other’s feelings, full of kindness, and brought joy to any situation. She was light-hearted, adventurous, and enjoyed life to its fullest. Michele was always active in her children’s and grandchildren’s schools and activities, believed in community service, and eager to help and encourage others to grow to their fullest potential. She enjoyed traveling, playing mahjong, and spending time with her family and friends. The legacy that Michele’s left us with will continue to guide, inspire, and positively impact others.

Michele grew up in Aurora, IL, moving often and attending different grade schools where she developed many friends with her outgoing, energetic and talkative personality. She attended Simmons Junior High School in Illinois and moved to Birmingham, AL with her parents and siblings. There she attended Huffman High School and graduated in 1977 and moved back to Aurora, IL where she met her husband and married in 1980. In 1994, the family relocated to Pinson, AL to be closer to her family.

Michele worked for several eye care optometrists and settled at UAB School of Optometry as an Optician Supervisor, where she retired after 20 years. During her tenure there, she attended 18 Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (UAB – SVOSH) trips as an optician with her students to provided free, thorough eye care and eyeglasses to the under-resourced communities in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, Columbia, and Panama.

After retirement, Michele opened a consulting company named “A Spectacular Gaze, LLC” in order to continue her teaching of Opticians and Optometrists to establish better business practices for them. She, through her consulting company, was enticed to work with Cleinman Performance Partners and did so as an ABOC, FNAO, Facilitator.

Michele held an American Board of Opticianry Certification as a Certified Optician and was an Ophthalmic Level 2 Speaker for the American Board of Opticianry. She served on the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Opticianry beginning in 2005 and in 2015 became the first female chair of the American Board of Opticianry, a testament to her dedication to the profession. She served on the ABO Board of Directors from 2015-2019, and later was recognized as the 2019 Optician of the Year by the National Academy of Opticianry. She also held membership in the Opticians Association of America, Alabama Opticians Association, and Professional Opticians of Florida.

Michele was a strong woman with an unwavering faith in her Lord Savior and was active for many years at Calvary Baptist Church, Pinson Methodist Church, and Centercrest Baptist Church.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard of 46 years, four children, April E. (Tommy L.) Morris of Springville, AL, Kristina L. (H. Joshua) Moses of Geraldine, AL, Spencer P.J. (Jessica L.) Self of Remlap, AL, and Jonathan M. (fiancé Kendra P.) Self of Homewood, AL; also her sister and brother-in-law, Joyce A. (Thomas A.) Robertson of Odenville, AL and brother and sister-in-law, Patrick L. (Karen M.) Tate of Franklin, TN; 6 nieces & nephews, Brandy M Giraldo, Chance M. Cuthbert, Maggie M. Cuthbert, Joey C. Cuthbert, Levi A. Tate, Piper E. Tate; 17 grandchildren, Symber E. Moses, Morgan A. Moses, Haylee M. Morris, Holden E. Peine, Taylor R. Moses, Tate R. Milstead, Hunter R.A. Self, Gabriel O’Donnell, Graham M. Self, Colson L. Moses, Rowan M. Moses, Lilyann R. Self, Brooklynn N. Moses, Ryley J. Morris, Maddie O. Self, Jackson G. Weeks, J. Caleb Moses,

Michele was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick L. and Elaine J. Tate, and grandson J. Briar Moses.

A private viewing service for the family will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 from 12:30 pm until 1:00 pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens in Trussville, AL. Visitation will follow at 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Funeral services will be held starting at 2:00 pm and graveside burial will follow at 3:00 pm in adjoining cemetery. Friends and family will be received at Carrington Lakes Clubhouse, 5659 Carrington Lake Parkway, Trussville, AL for an Open Celebration of Life for Michele from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

Rev. Brian Thomas from Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Collinsville, AL will be officiating over the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or UAB School of Optometry SVOSH) ,