James Neil Withers

Pastor James Neil Withers was born at the Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital in Kilgore, Texas on June 2nd 1953 and passed away at 69 years old on Thurs, December 29th, 2022 at his home in Longview, Texas.

Jim graduated Salutatorian of Leverett’s Chapel High School in 1971 and graduated cum laude from Gulf Coast Bible College with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1975. Jim entered into a lifetime of Christian service as a principal and pastor in several Upstate New York and East Texas communities. Jim had several passions: Traveling West to the mountains, his red Ford F-150, the Dallas Cowboys and his black cowboy hat. His greatest passion was sharing the gospel and studying and delivering historic Biblical truths. James has been pastoring the Grace Baptist Church, 222 E George Richey Rd, Gladewater, TX since early summer of 2013.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Withers; his daughters, Stephanie (Adam) Freed and Jamie (Mark) Robinson; his brothers and sisters, Jean Withers of Seattle, Washington, Steve Withers of Price Texas, Carol Farrar of Keller, Texas, Mike Withers of Webb City, MO; and his grandchildren, Lex Freed, Brooke Robinson, Sydney Freed, Austin Robinson, Evelyn Robinson and Izzy Freed; and several loving aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Thelma Withers and by his daughter, Stacy Withers and other relatives.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 3rd, from 6pm to 8pm at the Lakeview Funeral Home. Jim’s funeral will be held at the Grace Baptist Church of Gladewater, located at 222 E George Richey Rd on Wednesday, January 4th at 11:00am, followed by a graveside service at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens.