James Ralph Catledge, 90, passed away October 20, 2015, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was born on September 26, 1925, to Henry Gray and Minnie Bailey Catledge in Friendship, MS, and grew up in Tallahatchie County, graduating from Webb High School. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he returned to the Delta and began a career with Southern/SouthCentral Bell that spanned 42 years. He was a resident of Tupelo and member of Calvary Baptist Church for 53 years. He was a devoted husband for 61 years, father, and provider, and one of the friendliest people you could ever meet.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 AM, Friday, October 23, 2015, at Lee Memorial Funeral Home in Verona, followed by a memorial service in the chapel and burial.
He is survived by his son, Greg Catledge (Sherrie) of Charlotte, NC; his daughters, Jo Catledge Staten of Tupelo, and Barba McKinney (Bill) of Plant City, FL; step-grandson, Josh Rogers (Stephanie) and step-great-granddaughters, Annabelle and Sawyer of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA; step-grandson, Casey Rogers (Courtney) and step-great-grandsons, Jake and Dylan of Charlotte, NC; grandsons Brent McKinney of Plant City, FL, and Jim McKinney, both of Orland, FL; and dear friends and caregivers, Sandra Wood, Loretta Porter, Tracey Pruitt, and Tonya Crump.
Over the last few years, he longed for the glorious reunion with loved ones gone on before. These include, in addition to his parents, his beloved wife, Carolyn Bridges Catledge; his brothers Henry Grady Catledge, Morris Bailey Catledge, Richard Newton Catledge; and sisters Sadie Catledge Yerger, Willye (Bill) Catledge Clark, Maurice Catledge Neal, and Lucille Catledge Adams.
Pallbearers will be Rick Hays, Steve White, Brian Bramlett, Lee Caldwell, Sonny Jones, and Larry Stewart.
Honorary pallbearers are Brent McKinney, Jim McKinney, Aubrey Hays, and Buddy Jones.
Memorials may be sent to Calvary Baptist Church, Hope Family Ministries, or Sanctuary Hospice House, all in Tupelo.