Paul Rufus James

Paul Rufus James, age 93 of Newport, Tennessee died Tuesday morning, July 5, 2011 at Jefferson County Nursing Home. He was born February 1, 1918 in Bell Hill, Hartford, to the late John James and Mattie (Lunsford) James. He attended high school and college at Warren Wilson in North Carolina. He worked at the A.C. Lawrence Leather Company for 52 years. He was Superintendant of the Newport plant until it closed in 1976, then he was promoted to General Manager of the North Carolina and Kentucky plants until he retired in 1992. Paul served as a County Commissioner and Chairman of the Cocke County Court for eight years. He also served on the Board of Directors for Cocke County Baptist Hospital for eight years where he initiated the transfer of the hospital to the Baptist Health System of Tennessee. He also served as City Alderman for the City of Newport. Paul was Church treasurer for the Bethel Baptist Church for 30 years. He was a member of English Creek Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Choir Director. He served as Choir Director for 67 years. After his retirement, he became an active member of the Newport Kiwanis Club. In addition to Paul's work activities in the church he was directly involved in the Simple Truths Tract Ministry and CROSS Ministries. He coordinated the printing of the Simple Truths Tract, "Will You Spend Eternity in Heaven?" His support to these organizations helped in this tract being translated into several foreign languages, being distributed in over 50 countries around the world, all free of charge to Missionaries, Pastors, Churches and Layman for their use in witnessing. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Emma Dean (Mason) James; sons, Gary James and wife, Margaret of Knoxville; Freddy James and wife, Beth of Newport; five grandchildren; Dawanna King, Christi Wade of Knoxville, Tracey Achenbach of Huntsville, Alabama, Amy Evans of Newport, and Freddy James, Jr. of New York; seven great-grandchildren: Ian King, Zachary King, Jakob Wade, Eli Wade, Josie Wade, Elizabeth Evans and Charlie Evans; brothers: Oscar (Grace) James, Jimmy (Kathleen) James, Sister: Joyce Cox, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Paul was preceded in death by brothers: John D. James, Clydus James, and Homer James, sisters: Mary Dockery, Ruby Freshour, and Ruth James; father and mother-in-law, Ernest and Princy (Gentry) Mason. Funeral services will be held at 8:00 pm, Thursday, July 7, 2011 in the Manes Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Kerry Powell, Rev. Brian Parrish and Rev. Alvin Watts officiating. Burial will be held at 11:00 am Friday, July 8, 2011 in Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 8:00 pm Thursday, July 7, 2011 prior to funeral. In lieu of flowers donations may be given to CROSS Ministries, 7423 Ball Camp Pike, P.O. Box 7344, Knoxville, Tennessee 37921-0002. Family and friends may sign guest register on line at www.manesfuneralhome.com Manes Funeral Home in charge.

Paul Rufus James

February 1, 1918 - July 5, 2011