Mr. James Edward Ingram Jr.

Anniston - A celebration of life service for JE Ingram will be Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Gray Brown - Service Mortuary, Anniston, Alabama at ll:00 A.M. The family will receive friends at l0:00 a.m. We will come together to pay our tribute and our respect to a man of God. He has departed and he has arrived. What was faith is now sight. JE was born into this life on April 18, 1931, and was born into eternal life and found perpetual peace and rest on Sunday morning, June 29, 2025.

JE is survived by his brother, Quinn Ingram, and his sister-in-law, Maxine Ingram, both of Eastaboga, Alabama, and a host of nieces and nephews.

JE, also known affectionately as Jay and Mr. Wikles, exemplified what can only be described as one of the very best. He was born in Eastaboga, Alabama, and never moved away from that beloved area. It was his forever home, in this life. Early years in his life were filled with his beloved family. He attended Jacksonville State University and spoke often about the challenges of 'transportation' to JSU. But, he did it! Later, with the help of so many, JE found his place, thankfully, in the world at Wikle Drug Company in Anniston. He proudly appointed himself as the CEO of the Soda Fountain. A soda jerk! In what could only be defined as just the beginning of his wonderful life, he became a permanent fixture in the Wikle Drugstore. The years passed. Not surprisingly, JE owned the drugstore when he retired. When JE walked out of the front doors for the last time, he locked the doors. No doubt there must have been a few tears and many memories.

An obituary for JE seems somewhat rather unnecessary. At least, for those of us who were blessed to know him. For those who did not know him, you should know that he loved Anniston. So very much. He knew when his customers needed medicine, but did not have the money. No problem. Getting a call late at night never annoyed him. A person was ill and needed meds. JE got up and took it to them. No problem. His Wikle customers became his friends. He was a person of Integrity. Trustworthy. The Dean of Discretion. He knew the ladies of Anniston and made sure that he had a lovely lady (employee) to see to all of their needs. Candy, cosmetics, lotions, female conversations. And, true customer service. Each and every person that came into Wikles was treated with respect. He insisted on that. He demanded that. Customers became friends. Life-long friends. The children and grandchildren of his life-long relationship with Wikles were still special to him. His association with the medical community and the many great physicans (and their families) will be forever remembered. His respect for the doctors always led him to address them as Doctor. Never by their first name. His deeds of generosity and kindness to his family and friends were endless.

JE loved life. From dancing, entertaining, being a dinner guest at hundreds of tables. Always happy. Always positive. Always complimentary.

In his own words, "I've had a great life." In our words, he was special. An icon in Anniston. He was a man of Faith. He loved his family and his friends. Perhaps, as he approached Heaven's gates, he was humming .. "What a Wonderful World" .. he certainly added love and beauty to the world of Anniston, Alabama. Thank you, JE. You set the bar very high!

Memorial donations to St. Jude (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee  38105) and The Cemetery Beautification Fund at Plum Springs Baptist Church (127 Plum Springs Road, Eastaboga, Alabama  36260).