JEFFERSON - Phillip Grant Gillespie, 59, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017.
A native of Clarke County, Mr. Gillespie was the son of Joseph Cecil Gillespie and the late Annie Lou Phillips Gillespie. He worked as a truck driver. Mr. Gillespie was a loving husband, father and Papaw, who dedicated his entire life to his family.
Survivors, in addition to his father, include his wife, Tina Hiatt Gillespie; son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Alison Gillespie, Madison County; daughter and son-in-law, Gennie and Chad Dearing, Hall County; stepson, Jason Hiatt, Jefferson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Carol and John Dellinger and Susan and Paul Cronic; and grandchildren, Sara Grace Gillespie, Tucker Dearing and Evan Gillespie.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 20, in the chapel of Bernstein Funeral Home with the Rev. Dan Fuller officiating. Interment was at Evergreen Memorial Park.
Online condolences may be offered at www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com.
Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of arrangements.
Jackson County
Dudley Ray (06-15-17)
BRASELTON - Dudley Clarence Ray passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2017, just three days shy of his 87th birthday. He was born in McRae, Ga., and was the second of three sons to Mamie and Joe Ray.
Dudley was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Joe Ray and William G. Ray.
The Ray family lived in West Green, Ga., where they founded and operated their farming and turpentine business on the family farm. The boys attended West Green School where one of Dudley’s favorite memories was riding his horse, Tony the pony, to the one room school house every day. He also taught Tony tricks which amazed his family and friends. Upon graduation from West Green, he attended Douglas High School where he played football and was also on the track team.
Dudley was a lifelong Dawg, and as such, attended the University of Georgia from 1950 to 1954, graduating with a BS degree. In addition to collecting his degree, he also met the love of his life, JoAnn Dorminey, who was also a student at University of Georgia. To win her heart, Dudley and a pal filled the swimming pool at the KD house, where JoAnn lived, with magnolia blossoms one night because he knew it was her favorite flower, just to surprise her. As they say, the rest is history, and they married in June of 1955. Dudley and JoAnn settled in Douglas, Ga. after they wed and were blessed with two children, Lisa and Chip.
Dudley continued to work in the family farming business and later became a salesman with Georgia Ace Fertilizer. In 1979 he and JoAnn relocated to Lilburn, Ga. and he took a job with the Agri-chemical division of US Steel. He was a born salesman and man of the road flying and driving all across the nation making friends all along the way. Dudley knew how to get things done, from matters relating to selling his products, hiring the right people, or finding the best steak while on the road. He was truly in his element when surrounded by his friends, family and business associates.
In 1995 Dudley retired from LaRoache Industries. In 1997, he and JoAnn decided to move to Chateau Elan in Braselton, Ga. After building their home and setting up his massive shop, he was preparing to kick back, then Dudley had another idea! He decided to run for the Braselton Town Council, winning handily and serving four terms. This was at a time when Braselton was evolving from a sleepy town to a destination for light industrial development by many national companies. Dudley played a large role working with and attracting these companies.
After retirement from the town council Dudley spent his later years enjoying his family and visiting with his Chateau Elan neighbors from the seat of his red University of Georgia golf cart. He spent most days smiling and laughing. The only thing he wished for at the end of his life was for the University of Georgia Bulldogs to win another national championship!
Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Dorminey Ray, Braselton; daughter, Lisa Jardine Cyrus and her husband Stratton Cyrus, Austin, Texas; son, Dudley C. Ray, Jr. (aka Chip), Gainesville; granddaughters, Whitney Fulton Jardine, San Francisco, Calif., Suzannah Harrington Ray, New York City, and Stephanie Victoria Ray, Gainesville.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sims Funeral Home in Douglas, Ga. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 21, at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Sims Funeral Home. Burial to follow in the Douglas Cemetery.
The family will host a celebration of Dudley’s life at the Legends Clubhouse at Chateau Elan on Thursday, June 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Braselton.
The family would like to thank the caregivers who made the latter part of Dudley’s life more comfortable.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia, 2150 Limestone Pkwy., Suite 222, Gainesville, GA 30501, The University of Georgia, The Georgia Fund, gifts@uga.edu, or Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church, 4903 Chestnut Mountain Circle, Flowery Branch, GA 30542.
Sims Funeral Home, Douglas, Ga. is in charge of arrangements.
Dudley was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Joe Ray and William G. Ray.
The Ray family lived in West Green, Ga., where they founded and operated their farming and turpentine business on the family farm. The boys attended West Green School where one of Dudley’s favorite memories was riding his horse, Tony the pony, to the one room school house every day. He also taught Tony tricks which amazed his family and friends. Upon graduation from West Green, he attended Douglas High School where he played football and was also on the track team.
Dudley was a lifelong Dawg, and as such, attended the University of Georgia from 1950 to 1954, graduating with a BS degree. In addition to collecting his degree, he also met the love of his life, JoAnn Dorminey, who was also a student at University of Georgia. To win her heart, Dudley and a pal filled the swimming pool at the KD house, where JoAnn lived, with magnolia blossoms one night because he knew it was her favorite flower, just to surprise her. As they say, the rest is history, and they married in June of 1955. Dudley and JoAnn settled in Douglas, Ga. after they wed and were blessed with two children, Lisa and Chip.
Dudley continued to work in the family farming business and later became a salesman with Georgia Ace Fertilizer. In 1979 he and JoAnn relocated to Lilburn, Ga. and he took a job with the Agri-chemical division of US Steel. He was a born salesman and man of the road flying and driving all across the nation making friends all along the way. Dudley knew how to get things done, from matters relating to selling his products, hiring the right people, or finding the best steak while on the road. He was truly in his element when surrounded by his friends, family and business associates.
In 1995 Dudley retired from LaRoache Industries. In 1997, he and JoAnn decided to move to Chateau Elan in Braselton, Ga. After building their home and setting up his massive shop, he was preparing to kick back, then Dudley had another idea! He decided to run for the Braselton Town Council, winning handily and serving four terms. This was at a time when Braselton was evolving from a sleepy town to a destination for light industrial development by many national companies. Dudley played a large role working with and attracting these companies.
After retirement from the town council Dudley spent his later years enjoying his family and visiting with his Chateau Elan neighbors from the seat of his red University of Georgia golf cart. He spent most days smiling and laughing. The only thing he wished for at the end of his life was for the University of Georgia Bulldogs to win another national championship!
Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Dorminey Ray, Braselton; daughter, Lisa Jardine Cyrus and her husband Stratton Cyrus, Austin, Texas; son, Dudley C. Ray, Jr. (aka Chip), Gainesville; granddaughters, Whitney Fulton Jardine, San Francisco, Calif., Suzannah Harrington Ray, New York City, and Stephanie Victoria Ray, Gainesville.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sims Funeral Home in Douglas, Ga. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 21, at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Sims Funeral Home. Burial to follow in the Douglas Cemetery.
The family will host a celebration of Dudley’s life at the Legends Clubhouse at Chateau Elan on Thursday, June 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Braselton.
The family would like to thank the caregivers who made the latter part of Dudley’s life more comfortable.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia, 2150 Limestone Pkwy., Suite 222, Gainesville, GA 30501, The University of Georgia, The Georgia Fund, gifts@uga.edu, or Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church, 4903 Chestnut Mountain Circle, Flowery Branch, GA 30542.
Sims Funeral Home, Douglas, Ga. is in charge of arrangements.
Susann Royston (06-14-17)
COMMERCE - Susann Royston, 60 died Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at her residence.
Mrs. Royston was born in Atlanta, the daughter of the late Wayne Lee and Bonnie Carol Phillips Smallwood. Mrs. Royston was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth R. “Kenny” Royston, Commerce; daughters, Christy Morris, Commerce, and Lacinda Kujawa, Danielsville; son, Kenneth L. Royston, Commerce; step-daughter, Lona Pritchett, Danielsville; five grandchildren, Zachary Morris, John Michael Kujawa, Bonnie Grace Kujawa, Brooklyn Russell, and Houston Pritchett; and sister, Tracy Woodall, Williamston, S.C.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 16, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Dr. Shane Roberson officiating. Interment will follow in the Smallwood Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 12 to 2 p.m. prior to the services.
The immediate family would like to send a special thanks to all the family and friends that helped them out with many things during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family or the funeral home.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Royston was born in Atlanta, the daughter of the late Wayne Lee and Bonnie Carol Phillips Smallwood. Mrs. Royston was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth R. “Kenny” Royston, Commerce; daughters, Christy Morris, Commerce, and Lacinda Kujawa, Danielsville; son, Kenneth L. Royston, Commerce; step-daughter, Lona Pritchett, Danielsville; five grandchildren, Zachary Morris, John Michael Kujawa, Bonnie Grace Kujawa, Brooklyn Russell, and Houston Pritchett; and sister, Tracy Woodall, Williamston, S.C.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 16, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Dr. Shane Roberson officiating. Interment will follow in the Smallwood Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 12 to 2 p.m. prior to the services.
The immediate family would like to send a special thanks to all the family and friends that helped them out with many things during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family or the funeral home.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Anderson (05-12-17)
JEFFERSON - Betty Lucille Aycock Anderson, 66, entered into rest Friday, May 12, 2017.
Ms. Anderson was born in Rockingham, N.C., the, daughter of the late Arthur Eugene Aycock. She was a member of the Jefferson First United Methodist Church and formerly St. Paul United Methodist Church in Florence, S.C., and was a retired secretary with Florence Steel Erectors. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ann Fickling.
Survivors include a daughter, Keli Anderson Jones and her husband McKinley, Jefferson; grandchildren, Clayton, Chandler and Mary-Mac Jones, Jefferson; brother, Eugene Aycock, Society Hill, S.C.; sister and brother-in-law, Florence Aycock and Junior Sturkie, Florence, S.C.; other family members, Beth and Michael Prosser, Florence, S.C.; and life-long best friends, Cathy (Mack) Pruitt, Sumter, S.C., and Libby Lawton Hromicka, Charleston, S.C.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 25, from The St Paul United Methodist Church, 1629 West Palmetto Street, Florence, South Carolina.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Anderson was born in Rockingham, N.C., the, daughter of the late Arthur Eugene Aycock. She was a member of the Jefferson First United Methodist Church and formerly St. Paul United Methodist Church in Florence, S.C., and was a retired secretary with Florence Steel Erectors. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ann Fickling.
Survivors include a daughter, Keli Anderson Jones and her husband McKinley, Jefferson; grandchildren, Clayton, Chandler and Mary-Mac Jones, Jefferson; brother, Eugene Aycock, Society Hill, S.C.; sister and brother-in-law, Florence Aycock and Junior Sturkie, Florence, S.C.; other family members, Beth and Michael Prosser, Florence, S.C.; and life-long best friends, Cathy (Mack) Pruitt, Sumter, S.C., and Libby Lawton Hromicka, Charleston, S.C.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 25, from The St Paul United Methodist Church, 1629 West Palmetto Street, Florence, South Carolina.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Yvonne Moore (06-13-17)
PENDERGRASS - Yvonne I. Moore, 67, died Tuesday, June 13, 2017.
Mrs. Moore was a member of Gillsville Baptist Church and was retired from Fulton County School System.
Survivors include her husband, Ronnie Moore, Sr., Pendergrass; son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Kerri Moore, Jr; daughter and son-in-law, Felicia and Sean Allen; granddaughter, Olivia Allen, all of Jefferson; and brother, Clifford La Jouness, Seville, Ohio.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Emory ALS Center, Attn. Camille Sears, Associate Director of Development, Brain Health and Neurosciences, 1440 Clifton Rd., NE, Suite 170, Atlanta, GA 30322, (404)778-3444.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.billheadfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel.
Mrs. Moore was a member of Gillsville Baptist Church and was retired from Fulton County School System.
Survivors include her husband, Ronnie Moore, Sr., Pendergrass; son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Kerri Moore, Jr; daughter and son-in-law, Felicia and Sean Allen; granddaughter, Olivia Allen, all of Jefferson; and brother, Clifford La Jouness, Seville, Ohio.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Emory ALS Center, Attn. Camille Sears, Associate Director of Development, Brain Health and Neurosciences, 1440 Clifton Rd., NE, Suite 170, Atlanta, GA 30322, (404)778-3444.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.billheadfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory Duluth Chapel.
Charles Cotton (06-13-17)
COMMERCE - Charles Pledger Cotton, 85, died Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at his residence.
Mr. Cotton was born in Maysville, the son of the late Pledger Dillard and Clara Belle Odell Cotton. Mr. Cotton was retired from Scales Trucking, where he was the safety coordinator, a member of Nicholson Pentecostal Fire Baptized Holiness Church, and a United States Marine veteran.
Survivors incude his wife, Joan Miller Cotton, Commerce; sons, Rusty Cotton, Nicholson, Kenny Cotton, Nicholson, Scott Cotton, Maysville, and Steve Cotton, Nicholson; daughter, Tina Simpson, West Union, S.C.; brother, William Cotton, Marietta; sisters, Jo Wilbanks, Nicholson, and Judy Wilson, Commerce; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 15, at 2 p.m. from Nicholson Pentecostal Fire Baptized Holiness Church with the Revs. Marty Smith, Jacob Armour, Scott Alexander, Eugene Walls, and Larry Dyer officiating. The interment will be at Grove Level Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, June 14, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Cotton was born in Maysville, the son of the late Pledger Dillard and Clara Belle Odell Cotton. Mr. Cotton was retired from Scales Trucking, where he was the safety coordinator, a member of Nicholson Pentecostal Fire Baptized Holiness Church, and a United States Marine veteran.
Survivors incude his wife, Joan Miller Cotton, Commerce; sons, Rusty Cotton, Nicholson, Kenny Cotton, Nicholson, Scott Cotton, Maysville, and Steve Cotton, Nicholson; daughter, Tina Simpson, West Union, S.C.; brother, William Cotton, Marietta; sisters, Jo Wilbanks, Nicholson, and Judy Wilson, Commerce; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 15, at 2 p.m. from Nicholson Pentecostal Fire Baptized Holiness Church with the Revs. Marty Smith, Jacob Armour, Scott Alexander, Eugene Walls, and Larry Dyer officiating. The interment will be at Grove Level Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, June 14, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Annie Ruth Watkins (06-07-17)
HOSCHTON - Annie Ruth Johnson Watkins, 92, entered into rest Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
Mrs. Watkins was born in Chimney Rock, N.C., the daughter of the late William Early Johnson and Lodema Stubblefield Johnson. She was a longtime member of Center United Methodist Church and was a retired seamstress. Mrs. Watkins along with her late husband Bill operated a successful cattle and poultry farm in the West Jackson Community.
Mrs. Watkins was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Watkins; a son, Robert Michael Watkins; brother, William Robert Johnson; grandson, William “Bill” McKinley Hales IV; and a son-in-law, Gene Mauldin.
Survivors include two daughters, Robbie Ann Mauldin, Hoschton, Jean Beck and her husband Larry, Hoschton; three grandsons, Jeff Mauldin, Greg Mauldin, and Ken Hales; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, from the Center United Methodist Church with the Rev. Blane Spence officiating with burial to follow in Barrow Memorial Gardens in Winder. Gentlemen honored as pallbearers are Greg Mauldin, Austin Mauldin, Alex Mauldin, Marty Buffington, Ken Hales and Joel Banks. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 10. A time of fellowship and celebration of Mrs. Watkins life will follow at the Center United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 7641 Jackson Trail Road, Hoschton, Georgia from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Center United Methodist Church in Hoschton.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com
Mrs. Watkins was born in Chimney Rock, N.C., the daughter of the late William Early Johnson and Lodema Stubblefield Johnson. She was a longtime member of Center United Methodist Church and was a retired seamstress. Mrs. Watkins along with her late husband Bill operated a successful cattle and poultry farm in the West Jackson Community.
Mrs. Watkins was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Watkins; a son, Robert Michael Watkins; brother, William Robert Johnson; grandson, William “Bill” McKinley Hales IV; and a son-in-law, Gene Mauldin.
Survivors include two daughters, Robbie Ann Mauldin, Hoschton, Jean Beck and her husband Larry, Hoschton; three grandsons, Jeff Mauldin, Greg Mauldin, and Ken Hales; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, from the Center United Methodist Church with the Rev. Blane Spence officiating with burial to follow in Barrow Memorial Gardens in Winder. Gentlemen honored as pallbearers are Greg Mauldin, Austin Mauldin, Alex Mauldin, Marty Buffington, Ken Hales and Joel Banks. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 10. A time of fellowship and celebration of Mrs. Watkins life will follow at the Center United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 7641 Jackson Trail Road, Hoschton, Georgia from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Center United Methodist Church in Hoschton.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com
Charlie Wilkes Sr. (06-07-17)
ILA - Charlie Van Wilkes, Sr., 64, died Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at his residence.
Mr. Wilkes was born June 7, 1953, in Fort Bragg, N.C., the son of the late Charles Daniel and Mary Frances Forrester Wilkes, Jr.; and brother, Gary Wilkes. He was owner of Medex Medical Transport.
Survivors include his wife, Janie Sheridan Wilkes; children, Charlie (Chuck) Wilkes, Jr. and Brandy Wilkes Ward (Isaac); grandchildren, Cody Wilkes, Emily Wilkes, Gracie Ward and Bailey Ward; and siblings, Stephen Wilkes, Athens, Jeanne Pratt, Florida, John Wilkes (Janice), Athens, Stanley Wilkes (Donna), Ila, and Sharon Wilkes Waytaszik (Shawn), Danielsville.
No services are planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family or funeral home.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Wilkes was born June 7, 1953, in Fort Bragg, N.C., the son of the late Charles Daniel and Mary Frances Forrester Wilkes, Jr.; and brother, Gary Wilkes. He was owner of Medex Medical Transport.
Survivors include his wife, Janie Sheridan Wilkes; children, Charlie (Chuck) Wilkes, Jr. and Brandy Wilkes Ward (Isaac); grandchildren, Cody Wilkes, Emily Wilkes, Gracie Ward and Bailey Ward; and siblings, Stephen Wilkes, Athens, Jeanne Pratt, Florida, John Wilkes (Janice), Athens, Stanley Wilkes (Donna), Ila, and Sharon Wilkes Waytaszik (Shawn), Danielsville.
No services are planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family or funeral home.
Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.
Terry Reed (06-04-17)
JEFFERSON - Terry Lee Reed, 69, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017.
Terry's hobby was fishing. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Reed; and sister, Linda Brizzell.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Reed; mother, Mary Louis Reed; brothers, Danny Reed and Darrell Reed; and sister, Sherely Sanford.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at First Pentecostal Oneness Church of Arcade with Pastor Elaine Bryant officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the funeral home. Interment to be held with Marine military honors at First Pentecostal Oneness Church of Arcade, 67 Arcade Park St., Arcade, GA.
Funeral arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton.
www.lawsonfuneralhome.org,
Terry's hobby was fishing. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Reed; and sister, Linda Brizzell.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Reed; mother, Mary Louis Reed; brothers, Danny Reed and Darrell Reed; and sister, Sherely Sanford.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at First Pentecostal Oneness Church of Arcade with Pastor Elaine Bryant officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the funeral home. Interment to be held with Marine military honors at First Pentecostal Oneness Church of Arcade, 67 Arcade Park St., Arcade, GA.
Funeral arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton.
www.lawsonfuneralhome.org,
James Attaway (06-03-17)
James Horace Attaway, 81, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, June 3, 2017. He courageously fought to live until the very end.
James was born December 30, 1935, in Hoschton, Ga., the son of Hoyt and Bella Attaway. He was the last of four siblings and his father died when he was only two months old. He graduated from Jackson County High School, enlisted in the Air Force at age 19 and was honorably discharged after 27 years.
While stationed in the UK, he met and married his beloved wife, Jenny Ormonde of South Shields, England on November 7, 1964. He served in Vietnam and was awarded numerous medals including the Bronze Star. James earned the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and upon retirement from the Air Force, went to work in computer operations at Tinker AFB, Okla. in 1983. He retired from Tinker on October 1, 2003.
James graduated with an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force, Rose Junior College of Oklahoma City, Okla., and the City Colleges of Chicago. James loved his Scottie dogs (MacTavish (dec.), MacDougal (dec.) and McDuff), football (Georgia Bulldogs and SEC), and the mountains. He enjoyed his church, growing roses, the stock market and sluicing for gemstones.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jenny Attaway; his parents; two sisters; one brother; and his son, John Clarke.
Survivors include his daughter, Jane Cole, Fort Worth; granddaughters, Karla Merrick, Fort Worth, and Jennifer Herrera, Rockwall; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at Fairpark Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas. Interment will be beside his wife in Spruce Pine Memorial Park, Spruce Pine, N.C. at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Disabled American Veterans.
Arrangements are by Thompson Harveson & Cole, Fort Worth, Texas 817-336-0345
James was born December 30, 1935, in Hoschton, Ga., the son of Hoyt and Bella Attaway. He was the last of four siblings and his father died when he was only two months old. He graduated from Jackson County High School, enlisted in the Air Force at age 19 and was honorably discharged after 27 years.
While stationed in the UK, he met and married his beloved wife, Jenny Ormonde of South Shields, England on November 7, 1964. He served in Vietnam and was awarded numerous medals including the Bronze Star. James earned the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and upon retirement from the Air Force, went to work in computer operations at Tinker AFB, Okla. in 1983. He retired from Tinker on October 1, 2003.
James graduated with an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force, Rose Junior College of Oklahoma City, Okla., and the City Colleges of Chicago. James loved his Scottie dogs (MacTavish (dec.), MacDougal (dec.) and McDuff), football (Georgia Bulldogs and SEC), and the mountains. He enjoyed his church, growing roses, the stock market and sluicing for gemstones.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jenny Attaway; his parents; two sisters; one brother; and his son, John Clarke.
Survivors include his daughter, Jane Cole, Fort Worth; granddaughters, Karla Merrick, Fort Worth, and Jennifer Herrera, Rockwall; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at Fairpark Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas. Interment will be beside his wife in Spruce Pine Memorial Park, Spruce Pine, N.C. at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Disabled American Veterans.
Arrangements are by Thompson Harveson & Cole, Fort Worth, Texas 817-336-0345
Expressions of sympathy