James Nance

Elder James Thomas Nance (“J. T.”, “Jerry”, “Poppy”) departed life from this earthly journey on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. He was born on April 13, 1936, in Rogersville, Ala., to the late Catherine and Cordie Nance.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his son, Jamieson Gerard Nance; sister, Mary Magdalene Paige; brother, William Rylous Nance, Thomas Johnson; nephew, and niece Patricia Page. He departed life from this earthly journey on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019.

He was educated in the Rogersville, Ala., Public School System and later served in the United States Army. He received his high school diploma from Kirkman Technical High School in 1976. He was employed at Mueller Foundry, where he retired after 46 years of service.

Elder Nance and his family resided in the Washington Hills neighborhood for over 51 years. He was a beloved neighbor, known as a gentle giant. He was loved by many especially the children of the neighborhood.

He was survived by his loving wife of 56 years of marriage, Freddie Hartsfield Nance; one daughter, Kimberly Nance Lewis (William), of Chattanooga; one adopted daughter, Vernita Taylor (Anthony), of Chattanooga; seven grandchildren, Breon and Jamieson Nance II, of Memphis, Tenn., Austin Lewis, Chattanooga, Tenn., A. J. Lewis, of Louisville, Ky., Jeremiah, Jerius and JerRod Taylor, all from Chattanooga; two great-grandchildren, Lauryne and Jamieson III, of Memphis, Tenn.; one sister, Betty Johnson, Athens, Ala.; two sisterin-laws, Ernestine H. Bennett and Alberta H. Smith both of Chattanooga; two God-Children, Apryl Bridgeman and Ivey Bonner, of Chattanooga; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews; his personal caregiver, Joscelyn Bell; a close cousin considered as a brother, Hayward Watkins; special friends also considered brothers, Mr. Marvin Lee and Elder Paul Bonner, Sr.; longtime friends and neighbors, Jessie Higgins and family, Clarence Harris and family, Ervin Bonner and family and Bishop James M. Scott and the Holy Temple Church Family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at 12 noon at the New Holy Temple Cathedral COGIC with Bishop Felton M. Smith Jr., officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment: Chattanooga National Cemetery, Monday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m.

Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995