James Lavender

Homegoing services celebrating the life of Mr. James Lavender, 77, of Hokes Bluff will be Wednesday, September 14, at 2:00 p.m at Collier-Butler Funeral Home. Pastor Harvey Beck will officiate with eulogy given by Rev. Bob Hundley of Gentiva Hospice. Burial will be at the Hokes Bluff Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Service directing.

Mr. Lavender was born in Jefferson, Georgia on May 1, 1934, and went home to be with the Lord on September 12, 2011. He was a long-time member of Hokes Bluff First United Methodist Church and retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in 1996 after 42 years of service.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Aileen Lavender; three daughters, Lynn (Terry) Snow, Emily (Jeff) Sims, Kathy (Jeff) Handley; five grandchildren, Nathan Handley, Jordan Sims, Hanna Handley, Katelyn Snow and Isaac Sims; a sister, Louise Maxwell of Macon, Georgia; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Livingston and Edna Lavender; brothers, Marvin (Neta) Lavender, Herschel (Louise) Lavender; sisters, Martha Beth (Felton) Holland, Nell (H.J. “Stony”) Jackson and brother-in-law, D.L. Maxwell.

Pallbearers will be Terry Snow, Jeff Sims, Jeff Handley, Nathan Handley, Jordan Sims, Isaac Sims, Tim Lavender, Brett Lavender and Burt Lavender.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Sathyan Iyer, Dr. Adrian Chandler and men from the Dewey Ryan Sunday School Class.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the wonderful caregivers from Gentiva Hospice, especially Sheila, Reagan, Christy, Kim, Robert and Mary Anna.

Memorials may be made to Hokes Bluff First United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 12:00-1:45 p.m.