James Thurston Rayburn
August 17, 1936 — September 24, 2015
James Thurston Rayburn, age 79, resident of Sardis, Mississippi, retired U.S. Army serviceman and husband of Frances Earnest Rayburn died at his residence.
Services of Remembrance for Mr. Rayburn were conducted at 1 P.M. Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Bro. Howard Beam, pastor of First Baptist Church in Winona, Mississippi, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Evergreen Cemetery at Williston. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - Main Chapel of Somerville.
Mr. Rayburn was born August 17, 1936 in Guntown, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents, James L. Rayburn and Hazel Cruse Rayburn. He received his education in Saltillo, Mississippi and was married to the former Frances Earnest, who survives. He served his country in the United States Army for 20 years before his retirement. After retiring, he was employed with the Department of Transportation as a permit inspector. Mr. Rayburn was a member of the Union Baptist Church in Sardis and enjoyed outdoor activities that included camping, woodworking and traveling with his family.
In addition to his wife of 57 years, Mr. Rayburn is survived by two daughters, Regina Lynn Rayburn of Sardis, MS, Teresa Ann Young (Phillip) of Olive Branch, MS; his brother, Bill Rayburn of Tupelo, MS; two grandchildren, Tabitha Lynn McAlpin (Robert) of Middleton, Matthew McKee of Cordova; five great grandchildren; and one great great granddaughter, Alison Keller.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Diane DeVon; his brother, Butch Rayburn; his granddaughter, Megan Nicole McKee; and his great granddaughter, Amber Lynn Keller.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Jerry Stephens, Delbert McKee, Robert McAlpin, Matthew McKee, Gerald Earnest and Michael Earnest.
Honorary pallbearers will include James Harold Earnest.
The family requests that memorials be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148.