James Harbert Elder

James Harbert “Sonny” Elder, resident of the Braden Community, retired sales manager for Krispy Kreme Doughnut Company in Memphis and husband of Dorothy Stewart Elder departed this life Sunday afternoon, March 3, 2013 at the Methodist North Hospital in Memphis where he had been a patient for one week following an extended illness.

Services of Remembrance with Military Honors for Mr. Elder were conducted at 2 P.M. Wednesday, March 6th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Eddie Little, pastor of Hickory Withe First Baptist Church officiating. Interment followed in the Burrow Cemetery on Burrowtown Road in Fayette County. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Elder was born January 26, 1933 in the Drummonds Community of Tipton County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonzo “Lonnie” Elder and Clara Russell Elder. He received his education in the Tipton and Shelby County Public School Systems and was married February 3, 1952 to the former Dorothy Stewart, longtime staff member of Lakeside Hospital in Memphis, who survives. Mr. Elder served in the United States Army in Germany during the Korean War Period.

Mr. Elder was employed for a number of years by the Krispy Kreme Doughnut operation in Memphis where he served as sales manager before his retirement. He was later employed as a fuel station attendant for the Kroger Company in Memphis where he found much pleasure in visiting with customers and friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Elder had been residents of the Braden Community area for the past 33 years where he enjoyed the “rural way of life”, enjoying caring for his property, his horses and his pets. A Christian and of the Baptist faith, Mr. Elder will be remembered as a people-person and an avid conversationalist. He was a longtime collector of model trains and enjoyed special times with his family.

In addition to his wife of 61 years, Mr. Elder is survived by his daughter, Terrie Kuhn (Tommy) of Gurdon, AR; his sister, Betty Richter of Gallaway; his brother, Eugene Hastings of Memphis; two grandsons, Cameron Elder (Misty) of Braden, Adyn Kuhn of Gurdon, AR; and his two pet canines, “Little Boy” and “Missy”.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Cameron Elder, Tommy Kuhn, Brandon Barker, Lee Williams, Dale Ferrell and Jeremy Jaynes.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Fayette County Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN 38066.