JAMES LANCASTER James Ardale Lancaster, age 84, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at Trinity Independent Living in Columbus. Services will be held Saturday, January 22, 2011, at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church with Dr. Shawn Parker and Rev. Ron McDougald officiating, burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church two hours prior to service. Mr. Lancaster was born on Friday, January 07, 1927, in Kosciusko, MS to the late Hollie H. and Addie Mae McDaniel Lancaster. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1944 and joined the Merchant Marines where he served from December 1944 until October 1946. James continued to serve his country in the National Guard for several years as he began his civilian career. This career began when he was hired by Audie Pennington and then progressed when he became manager at ABC Grocery. James used these years of relationships and personal service to begin a career in real estate and was licensed in 1957. He was a commercial real estate developer and was responsible for creating several of the subdivisions, apartment complexes, and office buildings located throughout the Golden Triangle. James was very active in the community throughout his entire life. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Columbus where he was involved in numerous committees over the years. He was past president and member of the Columbus Exchange Club and a member of The Columbus Board of Realtors. James had his private pilots license, was once a firefighter, and enjoyed cooking, gardening, and ceramics. James was a loving husband, friend, father, grandfather and most recently great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents H. H. Lancaster Sr and Addie Mae Lancaster and siblings Otis Lancaster and Ruth Haney. Survivors include: His wife of 64 years Margaret R. Lancaster , Columbus, MS; one daughter Rita Brownlee (Dennis), Columbus, MS; one son Dale Lancaster (Ida), Madison, MS; one brother H.H. Lancaster Jr., Hamilton, MS. Seven grandchildren: Angela Van Asselt (Lee), Hoover, AL; Hollie Sumrall (Clint), Ridgeland, MS; Jordan Estes (Andrew), New York, NY; Jimmy Lancaster, Madison, MS; Jenna Stricklen (Casey), Vestavia, AL; Jake Lancaster, Madison, MS; and Bethany Brownlee, Columbus, MS. Three great grandchildren: Hayes Lancaster, Ethan Van Asselt, and Reeves Sumrall. Family Members will serve as pallbearers Honorary Pall Bearers will be: Dr. Clarke Bozeman Ira Carter Ben Chilcutt A.O. Cummings Dr. Frank Dailey Joe Leonelli Dr. George Welch Bert Wheeler Dr. James Gatewood Sunday School Class Memorials May be made to: Alzheimers Association of Mid-Mississippi 1900 Dunbarton St. Suite 1 Jackson, MS 39216 Or Columbus First Baptist Church Building Fund P.O. Box 829 Columbus, MS 39703
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