JAMES MARVIN "SKINNER" ASHFORD

JAMES MARVIN "SKINNER" ASHFORD, beloved father, grandfather and husband of the late Homazelle Teague Ashford passed away peacefully at his home in Moscow at 12:15 A.M. Thursday, November 6, 2008. He was 88 years of age.

Funeral services for Mr. Ashford were conducted at 2 P.M. Saturday, November 8th at Piperton United Methodist Church in Piperton with the Rev. Joey Reed, Pastor of the church, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Bethlehem Cemetery at Moscow. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Ashford was born in Williston, TN on July 17, 1920 where he lived until joining the Navy in 1942. He served as a carpenters mate on the USS Mindoro in the South Pacific during WWII.

He married Homazelle Teague in 1945 and moved to Memphis where he began a successful career as a contractor specializing in custom built homes. His numerous accolades include the "Bildors Best" Award presented by the Home Builders Association of Memphis, president of Whitehaven Country Club, charter member of the Century Club, and president of the Davis YMCA.

Mr. Ashford was a member of Whitehaven United Methodist Church, and in his later years Collierville United Methodist Church and Piperton United Methodist Church. He moved from Shelby County back to Fayette County in 2003 where he lived out the rest of his years.

Mr. Ashford exemplified integrity, self sacrifice, and a love for God, country, family and friends.

Survivors of Mr. Ashford include his daughter, Pamula Ashford of Moscow; a sister, Delores Ann Jewell of Memphis and two grandchildren, Fred Thomas Baddour, Jr. of Cordova and Marilyn Brooke Baddour of Germantown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, R. L. Ashford and Ella Frances Ashford of Williston; two sisters, Pauline Carpenter and Sybil Downey; and two brothers, Harold Ashford and Jack Ashford.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Mike Ashford, Fred Thomas Baddour, Jr., Marilyn Brooke Baddour, Lee Carpenter, Pat Downey, Richard Jewell and Dr. Charles Munn.

The family request that Memorials be directed to the Piperton United Methodist Church, 785 Highway 57, Collierville, TN 38017, Phone: (901) 853-2654; or to the Bethlehem Cemetery Association, C/O Nancy Leggett, President, 765 Hays Road, Moscow, TN 38057, Phone: (901) 877-3263.