James Howard Jeffries

He was a member of the Gethsemane United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years: Emeline Reaves Jeffries; parents: Milburn and Lucy Jeffries of Mosheim; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Carnel C. and Fannie Reaves; brothers and sisters-in-law: Bob and Ailene Jeffries and Don and Juanita Jeffries; sisters and brothers-in-law: Bunny Jeffries Carter, Carol Jeffries and Hoover Wilhoit, Jake Jennings, C.C. Reaves, Eddie Reaves Woolsey, Madeline Reaves Myers, and Lois Lynn Reaves Jones; grandson: Jordan Morelock; son-in-law: David Stapleton; and nephew: Mike Jeffries.

He is survived by his daughters: Janice Jeffries Stapleton of Knoxville and Rhonda Jeffries Morelock and husband, John, of Greeneville; grandchildren: Garrick D. Stapleton and wife Rebecca of Knoxville, Joshua A. Morelock, Matthew B. Morelock, Ashton L. Morelock of Greeneville; three great-grandchildren: Allyson L. Stapleton, Kaitlin R. Stapleton, and David G. Stapleton, all of Knoxville; brother and sister-in-law: Benny and Arleen Jeffries of Rockford, Ill.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Charles Carter of Morristown, Gertrude Jennings of Greeneville, James and Hazel Bowers of Greeneville, Betty Reaves of Greeneville, Lyndon Woolsey of Greeneville, Dale Myers of Greeneville, and Aggie Jones of Greeneville; and several nieces and nephews.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II, 1943-1945 and was stationed in the Asiatic-Pacific Operations; served aboard the NT Bainbridge, Md., NTS NOB Norfolk, Va., USS Bushnell (AS-15) and the USS James E. Craig, DE201 and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He received Electrician’s Mate Third Class, American Theatre; Asiatic-Pacific Medal with four stars; Victory Medal World War II; and Philippine Liberation Medal with One Star.

The family extends a special thanks to Smoky Mountain Hospice, Dr. Joe Austin and staff, and Laughlin Hospital staff and nurses of four west.

The family will receive friends from 5pm-7pm Friday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home in Greeneville.

Following visitation, the funeral service will be held at 7pm in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Cindy Paxton officiating.

Family and friends are asked to meet at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Jefferson City at 10:45am Saturday for the interment at 11am.

Honorary pallbearers will be his Sunday School Class at Gethsemane United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorials to be made in honor of Mr. Jeffries and family members for service to their country to the Paralyzed Veterans of America at Mid-South Chapter PVA, 103 Jefferson Avenue, Room 2D100, Memphis VAMC 817, Memphis, TN 38104.