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- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 145, 146.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 1 Feb 2006.
James turns 88
Paul James always stays one day ahead of the groundhog-at least when celebrating his birthday on February 1. Today, James turns 88, and has been a prominent figure in industry, government, and community. He stays active in the Newport Kiwanis Club and English Creek Baptist Church.
Born at the Old Fifteenth in Del Rio, he was the oldest of nine children born to Johnny James and Mattie Lunsford James, who operated many grocery stores across the county. He and his wife, Emma Dean (Mason) James, will have been married 67 years on April 1. During his work career he was honored for 52 years with A.C. Lawrence Leather Company.
The Jameses have two sons: Freddy and Gary; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The groundhog may retreat for six more weeks of winter on Feb. 2 if he sees his shadow, but James plans to be out and about and looks forward to a birthday celebration with his entire family this weekend.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 23 Jul 2006.
I'll share some things I've heard and seen while wandering about town the past week. At Kiwanis we heard Paul James fell. He told me that at English Creek church he fell on concrete stairs and hit his kneecap. The painful injury has kept him confined for about two weeks. Paul, 88, said it was his first fall to suffer a serious injury.
Just Plain Talk
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 31 Jan 2008.
Kiwanian Paul James turns 90 on Friday
Kiwanian Paul James turns 90 on Friday, February 1. He is now the most senior member of the Newport Kiwanis Club and has been actively involved in its community work for several decades. Paul James, of Newport, is married to mma Dean James and they have two sons. Both Freddy James and Gary James are now retired after long and successful professional careers. The family will be gathering at the James' home for dinner and birthday cake. Paul James is a former county official and worked most of his life as an executive with A.C. Lawrence Leather Company.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 4 Feb 2011.
James turns 93
Kiwanian Paul James turned 93 on Tuesday, February 1. He was honored at the Newport Kiwanis Club meeting at Fox & Hounds banquet hall, where fellow members sang "Happy Birthday" to the most senior member of the club. James has been actively involved in its community work for several decades. The retired A.C. Lawrence Leather Company executive is married to Emma Dean (Mason) James, and they have two sons. Both Freddy James and Gary James are now retired after long and successful professional careers. Paul James is a former Cocke County commissioner, alderman, and worked most of his life, 52 years, as an executive and general manager with A.C. Lawrence Leather Company. The son of Johnny and Mattie James, he also helped his late brother Homer James start James Furniture in 1948. With him is Kiwanian Alvin Watts, right, who makes sure Paul always has a ride to the club meeting.
- [S112] Census, 1930.
Name: Paul R James
Event: CENSUS
Event Date: 1930
Event Place: District 6, Cocke, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Age: 12
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Birthplace: Tennessee
Estimated Birth Year: 1918
Immigration Year:
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Enumeration District Number: 15
Family Number: 448
Sheet Number and Letter: 22B
Line Number: 76
NARA Publication: T626, roll 2238
Film Number: 2341972
Digital Folder Number: 4548152
Image Number: 00338
Household Gender Age
Parent John James M 42
Parent Mattie L James F 35
Paul R James M 12
Mary I James F 10
Homer D James M 9
Clydus D James M 7
Ruby R James F 5
John D James M 1
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 5 Jul 2011.
(February 1, 1918 - July 5, 2011)
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.
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