James Nance
Elder James Thomas Nance “J. T.”, “Jerry”, “Poppy” departed life from this earthly journey on Saturday, February 16, 2019.
He was born on April 13, 1936 in Rogersville, Al., to the late Catherine and Cordie Nance.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his son Jamieson Gerard Nance, sister Mary Magdalene Paige, brother William Rylous Nance, Thomas Johnson, nephew, and niece Patricia Page.
He was educated in the Rogersville, Alabama Public School System and later served in the United States Army. He received his high school diploma from Kirkman Technical High School in 1976. He was employed at Mueller Foundry, where he retired after 46 years of service.
Elder Nance and his family resided in the Washington Hills neighborhood for over 51 years. He was a beloved neighbor, known as a gentle giant. He was loved by many especially the children of the neighborhood.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years of marriage, Freddie Hartsfield Nance; one daughter Kimberly Nance Lewis (William) of Chattanooga; one adopted daughter, Vernita Taylor (Anthony) of Chattanooga; seven grandchildren, Breon and Jamieson Nance II of Memphis, TN, Austin Lewis,Chattanooga, TN, A. J. Lewis of Louisville, KY, Jeremiah, Jerius and JerRod Taylor all from Chattanooga; two great-grand-children, Lauryne and Jamieson III of Memphis, TN; one sister, Betty Johnson, Athens, AL; two sister-in-laws, Ernestine H. Bennett and Alberta H. Smith both of Chattanooga; two God-Children, Apryl Bridgeman and Ivey Bonner of Chattanooga, TN; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews; his personal caregiver, Joscelyn Bell; a close cousin considered as a brother, Hayward Watkins; special friends also considered brothers, Mr. Marvin Lee and Elder Paul Bonner, Sr.; longtime friends and neighbors, Jessie Higgins and family, Clarence Harris and family, Ervin Bonner and family and Bishop James M. Scott and the Holy Temple Church Family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, at noon at the New Holy Temple Cathedral COGIC with Bishop Felton M. Smith, Jr. officiating.
The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 22, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Monday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.
James Nance