James "Jimmy" Bigham

James “Jimmy” Bigham, 88, of Gadsden, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, November 16, 2016. The funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 18, 2016 at Collier-Butler Funeral Home. Rev. Vann Lockridge will officiate. Burial at Crestwood Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.

Jimmy was born in Oakridge, TN. and was a member of Meadowbrook Baptist Church. Jimmy started his working career at age 14, at a grocery store. At age 16 he started work at Merita Bakery and later bought and leased trucks with Malone Truck Line. He and his wife owned Bigham’s Clothing for 26 years. Mr. Bigham was the original founder of Stockit n Lockit mini warehouse in Rainbow City for 30 years. He never met a stranger and was always ready to spin a joke and bring a smile to your face. He enjoyed being outdoors, working in his yard, boating on the Coosa, and most of all, getting together with family and friends. He was a family man who loved to spend time with his great-granddaughters. He and his wife were infamous for disappearing months at a time, traveling all over the U.S. in their motorhome. Jimmy is a man who will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lily Bigham; sister, Hazel Bigham; brothers, Guy Bigham and Tommy Bigham; and 4 special friends for over 50 years, George Morris, Vann Thrasher, Ernest Cowan, and Pete Jackson.

Jimmy is survived by his best friend and wife of 68 years, Martha Bigham; daughter, Susan (Harry) McLendon; grandchildren, April (Jody) Keene, and Bonnie (Kevin) Silvey; great-grandchildren, Lilly Grace Keene, Ella Keene, and Hannah Silvey; niece, Lynn Rutledge; sister-in-law, Judy Bigham; and special friends for over 50 years, H.M. Hutchinson and Charles Abercrombie.

Pallbearers will be Johnny McCullars, Jesse Brown, Jimmy Bozeman, Derrel Jordan, Ray Grigsby, Ronnie Holaway, Jerry Ashley, and Tim Griffith.

Honorary pallbearers are Gene Buckner, Ronnie McClure, Jerry Baker, and Eric Johnson, Terry Bishop, Randy Cowan, and Randy West.

We want to thank all of the doctors and nurses at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. A special thanks to nurse, Barbara Colvin, and all of the sitters who took such good care of Jimmy.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials be made to John Croyle’s Big Oak Ranch.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 -2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.