Hayward James

Earnest Hayward James, age 89, of Columbus, MS, passed away July 25, 2017, at his residence.  Funeral services will be Friday, July 28, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. at Fairview Baptist Church with visitation starting at 4:30 p.m..  Jeff James will be officiating with Breck Ladd assisting. A private family interment will immediately follow at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.  Gunter & Peel Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. James was born January 15, 1928, in Gordo, AL, to the late Lester and Pearl Porter James.  He was a graduate of Palmetto High School of Reform, AL, and Mississippi State University.  Mr. James was a veteran of the United States Navy.  He was a ranch manager for a number of years at Cedar Hills Ranch of Fisherville, TN, and Rock Hill Ranch of Horn Lake, MS.  Mr. James worked for the Frisco Railroad for 17 years before joining James Floor Covering in 1973.

Mr. James was a supporter of the MS Sheriffs Boys & Girls Ranch and the Palmer Home forChildren.  He was a member of the Columbus Civitan Club, Columbus Country Club, and Green Oaks Golf Club. Mr. James was a long time member of Fairview Baptist Church. He served on various committees, including the building committee, and was a member of the Ray Crosby-Ken Linton Sunday School Class.

He was an avid golfer with seven hole in ones. He loved Mississippi State sports and was a three sport season ticket holder. “PaPa” also enjoyed following and supporting all of his grandkids in their activities.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Glen James. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Jean Brown James, sons, Keith James (Judi) of Sapulpa, OK, Jeff James (Jo Ellen) of Hoover, AL, daughters, Pam Abrams (Jeff) of Columbus, MS, and Sandy Aultman (Billy) of Columbus, MS, 8 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren, brothers and sisters, Earline Nichols of Gordo, AL, Ralph James of Jacksonville, FL, Paul James (Jewell) of Meridian, MS, Clayton James (June) and Joyce Ogelsby (Kenneth) of Columbus, MS.

Pallbearers will be grandsons: Justin Aultman, Hunter Abrams, Brantley Abrams, Parker James, Hal Larkin, Tyler Farnham, and Jay Hollenbeck. Honorary pallbearers will be W. V. West, Butch Reed, Andy Boyd, Slater Murphy, Rev. Sammy Crawford, Randy Felder, and members of the Ray Crosby-Ken Linton Sunday School Class.

Memorials may be made to the Palmer Home for Children School, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS, 39703. <iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/ZZ52G55YQFQM5FSH" width="512"></iframe>