James Cecil Sprayberry LTC (ret)

James Cecil Sprayberry reported for his final assignment with Jesus on April 7, 2018. He was 85. LTC Sprayberry was born December 22, 1932, in Walker County, Georgia. He attended schools in Walker and Chattooga Counties, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Chattanooga. The majority his life was spent in northwest Georgia, northeast Alabama, and southeast Tennessee.

He began his military career as a Corporal in the Army Reserve while a student at the University of Chattanooga, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army upon graduation in 1958. His military service took him to postings across the Southeastern United States, West Germany, and Thailand. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with more than 36 years of active and reserve duty.

He was an Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator of some 30 years, and provided communications support for local civic and charitable organizations. He was also a member of the Shipley Class of First Baptist Church of Lakeview.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nelda Saffels Sprayberry; son, Paul C. (Lou Ann) Sprayberry; sisters, Lucille (Ron) Cain, Sue Cheek; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and special cousin Elizabeth Robinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Milton and Mildred Lucille Worsham Sprayberry; grandparents, Jerry William (Bud) and Emma Jane Hankins Sprayberry, and James Henry and Betsy Lemontine (Willie) Kimbell Worsham; sister, Vera Lively; and uncle Myers Wayne (Chick) Sprayberry.

Services will be conducted at the Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel on Wednesday April 11, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Patrick Cooper officiating. Family and friends will be received at the Chattanooga Funeral Home East the evening prior to the service from 5-8 p.m. Burial, with military honors, will be at Hamilton Memorial Gardens, 5401 Tennessee 153, Hixson, Tennessee. Honorary pallbearers will be current and former members of First Baptist Church of Lakeview, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society, your favorite charity, or your local church.

Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com