Published on January 8, 2021 by Sarah Cain  
joann bashinsky birmingham al obituary

Joann Bashinsky, one of Alabama’s most revered philanthropists, died Sunday, Jan. 3, at 89 years of age. She was the widow of Sloan Y. Bashinsky, the founder and former CEO of Golden Flake Foods.

Known in the community as “Mrs. B” or “Mama B,” Bashinsky was a beloved friend and benefactor of Samford University. She provided support for numerous student scholarships through the years, including the Joann F. Bashinsky Department of Physical Therapy Annual Scholarship and the Samford Legacy League scholarship for students from the Big Oak Ranch.

“Joann Bashinsky was someone I knew for years and always greatly admired,” said Randy Pittman, Samford’s Vice President for University Advancement.

“Every time she gave a gift to fund a Samford scholarship, she would smile and talk about what a blessing it was to be able to help someone get a really good education. Her generosity allowed many Samford students to graduate from Samford, some with advanced degrees. Most were students that wouldn’t have had a chance to get that degree if Mrs. B hadn’t helped them in a big way. The world is better because of Mrs. B and all that are helping others today after receiving the benefits of her giving spirit.”

Prior to the death of her late husband Sloan, Joann took his place as chairman of the board for Golden Flake, its parent company SYB, Inc. and the Bashinsky Foundation. Among her many philanthropic accomplishments, Bashinsky had a passion for improving children's lives and advancing education through contributions and scholarships for students across Alabama universities and the formation of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Big Oak Ranch.

Two buildings on Samford’s campus honor the decades-long relationship between the university and the prominent Birmingham family. Bashinsky Field House and the Leo E. Bashinsky Press Tower are both dedicated for Leo. E. Bashinsky, father of Sloan, who was an acclaimed business leader and former member of Samford’s Board of Trustees. Joann made annual gifts to Samford to maintain those two buildings.

Joann Bashinsky was a proud member of Mountain Brook Baptist Church and the Torchbearers Sunday school class.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Big Oak Ranch.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.