J.B. Lemons, 86, of LaFayette, Georgia, passed away Friday, November 25, 2016.
J.B. was born on Jan. 15, 1930, in Scottsboro, AL to the late Florence Clark and Bula Lee Lemons. J.B. was married to Mary Janette Pettigrew on June 10, 1953. Following their marriage, they lived in East Ridge, where J.B. was employed with DuPont. In 1965, the family moved to the LaFayette area of Walker County, where J.B. became a well-known farmer and beekeeper. J.B. was a long-time member of the LaFayette First United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Men's Quartet. He served as a board member of the Walker County Farm Bureau, the Coosa Valley Soil and Water Conservation Board, the Walker County Planning Commission, and as past President of the Beekeepers' Association. He served in the U.S. Army during the years of the Korean War as a member of Company B 151st Engineer Combat Battalion.J.B. was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love of music, his wisdom and great sense of humor, his strength of character, and his kindness to all with whom he came into contact.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 11 siblings.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mary Janette Lemons; their children, Stan (Lynn) Lemons, Karen (Chuck) Betz, Mark (Amy) Lemons and Jay (Melissa) Lemons; sisters, Vina L. Harris, Hixson and Grace Langley, Detroit, MI; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, at LaFayette First United Methodist Church with Pastor Randall Massengill officiating. Interment will follow in the LaFayette City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons and special friends.Memorial donations may be made to LaFayette First United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends Sunday, Nov. 27 from 3-5 p.m. at Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, who has charge of the arrangements.