Mr. James L. Stakely

James Lee Stakely, 68, a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, died peacefully on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Howard and Ocie Mae Watson Stakely; brother, Raymond E. Stakely; brother-in-law, James Davis; father-in-law, Charles J. Kornas; and mother-in-law, Imogene Griffith Kornas.

Mr. Stakely was a US Air Force Veteran, a self-employed carpenter in the Chattanooga area, and a member of Ridgedale Baptist Church for the past 24 years where he belonged to the Stewards Sunday School Class.

Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Shirley McGinniss Stakely; sons, James Tracy (Cheri) Stakely of Decatur, GA and Stephen Michael Stakely of Jupiter, FL; grandson, Bryson James Stakely; granddaughter, Isabella Grace Stakely of Decatur, GA; sisters, Melgena Davis, Glenda Defriese and Vivian (Joe) McMahan; brothers, Robert (Margaret) Stakely, Melvin (Darlene) Stakely, Charles (Joyce) Stakely and Mitchell Stakely; sisters-in-law, Beverly Stakely, Debbie (Doug) Goode and Kathy (Larry) Sims; brother-in-law, Mike (Melody) Kornas; 9 nephews; 17 nieces; 11 great nephews; 18 great nieces; 2 great-great nephews and 8 great-great nieces.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM Friday at Ridgedale Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Owens officiating. Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Thursday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home and from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Friday at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association 85588 Potter Park Drive, Suite 500, Sarasota, FL 34238 (www.PWSAUSA.org) or the Faith Building Fund at Ridgedale Baptist Church 1831 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.