James Burnett Botts Jr.

Our hearts are broken, but the heavenly host is rejoicing mightily that Jimmy Botts has joined the party. Our dear husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle and extraordinarily special friend peacefully departed this earth in the early morning of Saturday, January 27th, surrounded by a room of witnesses and love. No one who ever crossed paths with his delightful soul will ever be the same.

In the words of Jimmy, life was “just peachy” and made especially blessed by his parents who passed before him, James Burnett Botts, Sr. and Janice Malone Botts. Jimmy was also preceded in death by his sister, Joan Marie Botts, who taught him one of his proudest talents: how to dance, a.k.a. “get on the good foot.” He was a proud native Mobilian who loved sharing stories of his childhood on St. Theresa Court. In the 10th grade, on a blind date, Jimmy met the love of his life, Laura Ann Lee. Their almost 50 year love story is the stuff of legends that produced two fine daughters, Meredith Botts Jordan (Josh) and Amanda Marie Botts. One of his greatest joys was becoming a grandfather in 2011 to Joshua “Miles” Jordan, his “first mate” with whom he loved to share the “salt water life.” Their favorite times together included countless days fishing for speckled trout (never as big as the stories they told), boating to Little Lagoon Pass, cannonball contests off of the wharf of “Pappy’s Pool,” pillow fights and Alabama vs. Ole Miss football watching. His sister, Janice Botts Lindsey (Gene), and brother Judson Malone Botts, were a source of amazing strength and laughs for him until the very end. The stories and memories recalled of their unique and adventurous childhood could fill a novel. Their sibling love for each other was true and a testament to all who witnessed their special bond. That bond was also passed down to his own daughters as well as a slew of nieces and nephews: Brandi Lindsey, Brian Lindsey (Michelle), Jonathan Lindsey, Palmer Botts, Parker Botts, Jane-Marie Botts, Elizabeth LaRene’, Dylan Lindsey, Colton Lindsey, Jay Lindsey and Jackson Lindsey who will continue the tradition of countless shared memories together with card games, dancing, good music, corn hole tournaments, Fourth of July Summer Lagoon Olympics, Mardi Gras parades and visits to the Dew Drop Inn. Jimmy had countless “families” outside of those related by blood: his Springhill Medical Center co-workers, especially those with whom he shared a career dedicated to Respiratory Therapy; his Mystics of Time float barn buddies, his Rogue Reunion crew and his St. Luke’s Church family.

In Jimmy’s final days, his loved ones smiled when imagining the happy reunions he would have in heaven with so many friends that passed before him.

Those friends and family members left on earth are welcome to join us for visitation at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 from 12-1:00 PM, with a memorial service to follow. Jimmy’s “Celebration of Life” party (planned by him) will be held at The Bluegill Restaurant at 6:00 PM on Wednesday. Please come with stories, laughs, comfortable clothes and dancing shoes. Jimmy will have a cold drink waiting on you. He insists.

“Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, ‘Woo hoo! What a ride!’

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in his memory to:

The Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation

Care of Laughs for Life

1501 Adeline Street

Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Wilmer Hall Children’s Home

3811 Old Shell Road

Mobile, AL 36608