Dr. James Fite

GRENADA - Dr. James Ward Fite, 76, died at his home in Ocean Springs, MS on March 25, 2022. Dr. Fite was a devoted pediatrician in Grenada, MS for 40 years before his retirement. He grew up in Grenada and Tallahatchie County, MS and graduated from East Tallahatchie High School as valedictorian in 1963. He earned a Bachelors degree from Millsaps College where he began pursuing a career in Chemistry when he felt called to Medicine. He graduated medical school and pediatric residency from University of Mississippi Medical Center, after which he returned to practice in Grenada.

Dr. Fite dedicated his life to caring for patients in Grenada and worked to improve healthcare for all children in the State of Mississippi. He served as the President, Vice President and Treasurer of the MS Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as chairing the committee for improving community access to child health. He was an advisory member to the Mississippi Division of Medicaid for the Governor’s office for more than a decade, working to provide better insurance coverage to all Mississippi children. As a board member for the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program for many years, he worked to improve healthcare coverage in the state by encouraging young physicians to start their careers in rural areas.

In his personal life, he loved tinkering with everything and was a skilled carpenter, electrician, plumber, software engineer, and ice maker repair man. He was a kind and loving son, husband, father and Papa.

He is preceded in death by his parents W.G. “Bo” Fite and Odie Blakely Fite. He is survived by his wife Emily Gilmore Fite, his children Rana Brock Walley (Mark) of Vancleave, Jane E. “Betsy” Fite Mcadory (Matt) of Olive Branch and James Ward “Jamie” Fite, II (Jennifer) of Birmingham, AL, and his grandchildren Emily and Lelia Walley and James Ward Fite, III and Rubye Fite.

Funeral arrangements are with Mckibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, MS. Friends and family are welcome for visitation Tuesday evening March 29th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday March 30th in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in the Fite Family Plot at the Gore Springs Cemetery.

Memorial donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (https:// www.stjude.org/give.html) are appreciated.