Dr James Oliver Wise Sr

A native of McDowell County, NC, Dr. Wise was the son of the late Howard and Cara McNeely Wise. He served in the United States Army after high school graduation. He attended Appalachian State University and received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Berea College in Berea, KY. He received a Masters degree in Agricultural Economics from University of Georgia and his doctorate in Agricultural Economics at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Dr. Wise was professor of Agricultural Economics at University of Georgia for 32 years.

Dr. Wise was a former member of Civitans, Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, and Toastmasters. He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Athens, Ga. where he served in many positions of leadership.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Bonnie Pauley Wise of Bogart, GA; daughters, Sharon Anderson and husband, Jerrell of Suwanee, GA, Sandra K. Wise of Atlanta, GA; Donna L. Wise of Johns Creek, GA, and Linda Wise McKenzie of Athens, GA; son, James “Jay” Wise Jr. and wife, Cecilia of Cornelia, GA, and grandchildren, Courtney Leigh Strack, Hillary Anne Strack, Aubrey Kay Strack, Brandon Wise, Andre Aguinaga, Jonathan Wise, Trevor Wise, Ashton Picas, Christopher McKenzie, Cara Lyn Wise, and Olivia Wise.

Celebration of Dr. Wise’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 20th at 11AM at St. James United Methodist Church in Athens, GA with The Rev. Bill Curington and The Rev. Jerry Meredith officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5-8PM Tuesday, November 19th at Bernstein Funeral Home.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to The Bigger Vision of Athens, P.O. Box 49031, Athens, GA 30604.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service are in charge of arrangements.