Jim was a graduate of Lanett High School, where he was a star football player and an Eagle Scout, and of Auburn University. Following school he spent two years in the U.S. Air Force at Cape Canaveral in Cocoa Beach, Florida. It is there that he met his wife, Sara Frances “Sally” Judy. Jim and Sally were married for 65 years and raised four children. Theirs was a happy marriage filled with many blessings.
Jim began working in sales in Atlanta with Owens Corning Fiberglass and then moved to the Robinson Humphrey Company as a stockbroker. A transfer with Robinson Humphrey led him to Columbia which was Sally’s hometown; in the early 1970s he changed careers to commercial real estate where he worked until his retirement. He made Columbia his home for nearly 60 years.
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im was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Forest Lake Club, the Camellia Ball, DeBordieu Club and the Caprician Club. Until back troubles prevented him from participating, Jim was a fierce competitor on the tennis court and for decades was a regular on Saturday mornings at Forest Lake Club. He enjoyed spending time with his family at DeBordieu Beach and was involved in many aspects of the community there. Ever an outdoorsman, he loved fishing both in DeBordieu Creek and at the family farm in North where he spent countless hours with his grandchildren and their many friends who called him Paw. He will be forever in our hearts.
His warm, down-to-earth personality turned everyone he met into an instant friend. From delivering home-grown roses to hospital shut-ins to trading tall tales with his weekly men’s groups, Jim’s magnetic authenticity made others feel they were the center of his world. He will be remembered for his strong faith, dedication to family, sincere friendships and generous spirit. He leaves a legacy of inspiration for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to serve God and value others before themselves.
He is survived by his wife, Sally; daughter, Frances Judy Kitchens Mills and her husband, Burgess; son, William James Kitchens, Jr. and his wife, Lanie; son, Clifton Judy Kitchens and his wife, Dial. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Muldrow Burgess Mills III (Monica), William Thomas Mills (Caroline), Sara Taylor Mills Haywood (Ransom), John Downs Mills (Kate), John Clifton Judy Kitchens, Albert Dial Gray Kitchens, William Henry Kitchens, Virginia Dial Kitchens, William James Kitchens III, Frances Elizabeth Kitchens, and Richard McDaniel Kitchens; two great-grandchildren, Margo Judy Mills and Frances Perkins Mills; his brother, Howard Heflin Kitchens, Jr.; brother-in-law, John Clifton Judy; sister-in-law, Carey Judy Weathers (Dallon); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Sara Taylor Kitchens; his parents; and his sister, Virada Kitchens Schuessler.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Dr. Derek Thomas and Rev. David Lauten will officiate, and Jim’s eight grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends in Jackson Hall following the service. The service may be watched online at www.firstprescolumbia.org/live. A private burial will precede the service.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC, 29201. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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