Obituary: James E. Stansberry

James E. Stansberry, age 70, a resident of Clinton, passed away, Thursday, July 24, 2014, at the Turkey Creek Medical Center in Knoxville.

Mr. Stansberry was born November 24, 1943, in Lake City.

Following his high school graduation in Lake City, he moved to Washington, D.C., and began employment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He continued his employment with the F.B.I. until his move back to East Tennessee to continue his education. While attending East Tennessee State, he was employed at the Tri-City Regional Airport for Southern Airways.

Following college, he began employment with Roadway Express and worked for 32 years, retiring in 2000. He then began employment as a realtor with Heath Schuler Realty and later Southern Homes Realty.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Stansberry and Catherine Andrews Stansberry; by his in-laws, Cecil and Artie Mae Clowers; by a sister, Betty Lou Stover; and by a nephew, Chet Berry.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia Clowers Stansberry of Clinton; by a son, Eric Stansberry and wife Amy of Clinton; by a daughter Tracey Thompson and husband Daryl of Oliver Springs; by grandchildren, Erica Copeland and husband Daniel, Erin Stansberry, Whitney Thompson, Matthew Thompson, and Emyle Stansberry; by a great-grandson, Parker Copeland; and by a sister, Mary Ruth Stansberry.

He is also survived by a childhood friend, Ronnie Richards; by his dogs, which he loved, “Cookie,” “Jackson,” and “Little Bit,” and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and other special friends.

The family received friends Saturday, July 26, 2014, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Waylon Payne, Pastor Marty Stooksberry, and Pastor Kenny Rains officiating. Burial and graveside services were held Sunday, July 27, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association Knoxville, TN, office at 211 Center Park Drive, Suite 3010, Knoxville, TN 37922, or the American Heart Association, Southeast Affiliate, Living Legacy Partnership, P.O. Box 409410, Atlanta, GA 30384-9410.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements, and an online guestbook is available at www.sharpfh.com.