James Marcelle Van Devender

Brother Van was born in Shuqualak, MS on September 9, 1923. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a young man, moved to Mobile in 1942 and served in WWII. After the war he worked at Brookley Field until he entered the ministry in 1952. He was an Assembly of God pastor for more than fifty years, retiring in 2008. He served for many years at Coye Assembly in Philadelphia, MS and at many local churches including Irvington, Dauphin Island Parkway, Creola Assembly, Semmes 1st Assembly (founding pastor), and at Harvest Time Assembly. In addition, he founded Towne & Country Furniture in 1967. As a veteran, he was a passenger on Honor Flight IV from Mobile to Washington, DC in 2011.

He is preceded in death by his parents Oda and Nora, brothers Ozell and Leroy, and his wife Patricia Van Devender.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Juanita (Nita), children James (Judy) and Odie (Maureen) Van Devender, step children Ann (Wayne) Blanchard, Brett (Linda) Thornton, Alan (Rhonda) Thornton, and Laurie Hutchens, a special granddaughter Jamie (Terry) Perkins, grandchildren Paul (Sonya) Van Devender, Danny (Jackie) Van Devender, David (Leslie) Van Devender, Kimberly (Cary) Blalack, Jennifer Havens, Jeremy (Emily) Bozeman, and Stephanie (Stephen) Martin, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday May 18 from noon to 2pm at Fountain of Life Church in Saraland, AL. Service follows at 2pm. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Saraland.