Jim, age 96, of Nashville, TN, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 19, 2022 while living in Charlotte, NC. Jim was born on May 9, 1925 to parents Isabel Clement and George Wallace Cantrell, a farmer and dairyman living on Harding Road in Bellevue, TN.
Jim graduated from Bellevue High School and then enlisted in the Army. While stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, he attended a USO dance in Baltimore where he met Charlotte, and in 1947 they married. They shared a wonderful life of travel, joys and triumphs for the next 66 years.
In 1967 he received his B.A. degree from the University of Maryland after countless hours of night school while in the Army. Following 20 years of service in the Army, Jim retired with the rank of Major and then returned to his home in Nashville to be closer to family. Jim then was hired as the quality assurance inspector for the Neuhoff Meat Packing Company until it closed in 1977, and he retired again.
In 1958 Jim joined Woodmont Baptist Church where he enjoyed serving as a deacon, singing in the choir, directing traffic after church services, and occasionally driving the bus for senior outings. The church played an essential role in his life and he dearly missed his church family.
Throughout his retirement, Jim stayed active by playing tennis several times a week with his tennis buddies and he was good at it. Winning multiple tennis tournaments up until the age of 88.
Jim is survived by his three children, Charlotte Ann Carlyle (John) of Johns Creek, GA, John W. Cantrell (Rhonda) of Charlotte, NC, and Robert D. Cantrell (Carmine) of Murfreesboro, TN, along with five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, plus a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his 94-year-old little brother, Richard Cantrell of Puerto Rico.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Charlotte; his parents; and siblings, George, Eugene, Felicia and Ruby.
Jim had a strong, loving, kind and generous spirit. He was a man who loved the Lord and he loved his family too. Today we take comfort in knowing he is free from pain and is resting in the shelter of the most High God.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. prior to the Funeral Service, which will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 1st, at Woodmont Baptist Church, 2100 Woodmont Blvd. in Nashville, TN, with Pastor Nathan Parker and Pastor Bill Sherman officiating. Interment will follow at Tennessee Veteran’s Military Cemetery, 7931 McCory Ln., Nashville, TN at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers for those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider a donation to the Media Library ministry of Woodmont Baptist Church.
Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com
