James Malcus Ables
James "Jim" Malcus Ables, 79, entered into the promised glory of his Holy Father on November 5, 2017.
Jim was one of eight children, so family was always very important to him, second only to his relationship with the Lord. Having grown up in Daisy, Tn., he attended Soddy Daisy High School and worked at the Home Store until he joined the U.S. Army and honorably served two years. After returning from the military, he worked for DuPont in Hixson, for 25 years until he received his second lease on life by receiving a heart transplant in February 1989.
Jim and his wife, Jacquelyn (Jackie), a homemaker, also from Soddy Daisy, stayed there and began to raise a family. Years later, that family would grow into two sons, two daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, all of whom Jim and Jackie loved dearly. Another one of Jim’s passions was the Masonic Lodge, and was a Past Master and member of Daisy Masonic Lodge, #706, F&AM in Soddy Daisy, for over 58 years.
Jim and Jackie attended Grace Bible Church in Hixson, up until the time his bride developed Alzheimer’s and he became her primary caregiver. Jim’s love for Jackie never wavered, even in between the three weekly dialysis sessions, he visited and loved on her three to four days a week. Jackie was always there for Jim through the trials and tribulations of waiting, receiving, and living with a successful heart transplant, and life in general, and Jim was always there for Jackie.
Jim’s parents, Herman (Pa) and Dorothy (Ma) Ables; sister, Betty Hobson; and brothers, Tom and Johnny Ables, preceded him in death.
Jim is loved and survived by his wife, Jacquelyn Griswold Ables of 59 years; two sons, Pat (Kimberly) and Derrick (Angela); grandchildren, James, Ana (Tyler), Heath, Cayley (Danny), Madison, Cooper, and Kensley; great-grandchildren, Noah, Eli, Canaan, and Cylas; all of which who love him and will miss him terribly, as will his two grand-dogs, Bohdi and Milo, even if he only loved on them when no one was looking. Also, surviving him are his brothers Bobby, Pete (Rhonda), Virgil “Buck” (Nancy), Jerry (Doris); a sister-in-law, Cathy, and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and great-nephews/nieces.
Jim was a friend to many and a stranger to very few, a devoted and loving husband to Jackie, a great father to his sons and father-in-law to his daughters-in-law, and the BEST Papa to his grandkids and great-grandkids, of whom he could speak of for hours on end. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by all that knew and loved him. We rest in the comfort that those that are saved will see him again one day and have a grand reunion.
Services will be on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. at Legacy Funeral Home with Reverend Steve Atwood officiating. Graveside services by Daisy Lodge, #706 F&AM with David Bacon officiating. Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be on Friday, Nov. 10, from 4-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Prior to his passing, Jim requested, in lieu of flowers, that Memorial Donations be made to Chattanooga Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Dr. Suite 6, Chattanooga, TN 37421 and/or Tennessee Donor Services, 1600 Hayes St, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203, in the name of “Jim Ables.”
Arrangements are by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8911 Dallas Hollow Road, Soddy Daisy, 423 843-2525.
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