James E. Salmon, Sr.

Mr. Salmon was born on September 14, 1927 in Rome to the late William Edward Salmon and Ouida Rose Salmon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Gould Salmon, and his daughter, Joan Elizabeth Salmon.

A devout Christian and life-long member of the First Baptist Church of Rome, Mr. Salmon is best remembered as the owner and operator of the area’s Piggly Wiggly grocery stores. He ran the family owned and operated business until 2005.

Mr. Salmon was married to the late Betty Gould Salmon, on March 3, 1953. The two served the greater Rome community side-by-side through business, Christian fellowship and charitable works for more than 50 years.

He was very active in the First Baptist Church, serving on the Board of Deacons and welcoming worshipers every Sunday with a warm smile and handshake. He also served as the secretary of the OM Cates Sunday School Class. Mr. Salmon was committed to serving those in need in a variety of ways including the First Baptist soup kitchen and mission trips to Jamaica.

Mr. Salmon was discharged from active duty in the U.S. Army in 1951 but continued to serve in the Reserve to achieve rank as Major until 1975.

A graduate of the Darlington School and the University of Georgia, he was an avid Bulldogs fan.

Mr. Salmon is survived by his sister, Patricia Salmon Wall (Joe), his son, James E. Salmon, Jr., his grandchildren Jessica Salmon and Jordon Salmon and his nephew Mark Wall; all from Rome. His memory will be cherished by an extended family including his niece, Patricia Johnson Vick (Wayne), nephew Clayton Johnson, great-niece Beth Hawks and great-nephew David Hawks (Kera), and many other extended family.

Visitation was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2015 in the First Baptist Church Dining Room. Services followed at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church with Dr. Joel Snider and Dr. Floyd Roebuck officiating. The pallbearers were David Hawks, Avery Hawks, Mark Wall, Jackson Wall, Clayton Vick and David Vick. Honorary pallbearers included Beth Hawks, Claborn Bradfield, Jeff Brooks and Jay Matthews.

Donations in Mr. Salmon’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Rome Foundation, P. O. Box 1189, Rome, GA 30162-1189 or Heyman HospiceCare, P. O. Box 163, Rome, GA 30162-0163.