James Earl Weeks Sr., 91, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2018. He was born on October 4, 1926, in West, Mississippi, to Leo and Obed Weeks.

At age 17, James volunteered for the U.S. Navy and served his country honorably during World War II.

After the War, James was employed by Southern Bell, where he worked for over 35 years.

While he was repairing a telephone line, Clarice McIver saw James and told her friend that James would be her husband. They were married two weeks later, and last year marked their seventieth wedding anniversary.

James and Clarice settled in Cleveland, Mississippi, where they lived for almost forty years.

After his retirement from South Central Bell, James and Clarice moved back to West, where he served as an elder in the West Presbyterian Church.

James then went to work for the Martha Jo Leslie State Veterans Home in Kosciusko, Mississippi. In 1999, James was named Mississippi’s V.A. employee of the year.

James was a man of many talents, including carpentry and music. He played several instruments and frequently delighted his family, friends, and the West Presbyterian Church congregation by singing and playing the organ, piano, and guitar.

James, also known for his wit and his outgoing personality, never met a stranger and always introduced himself as Papa Weeks. He was deeply devoted to his family, always putting them first.

James is preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Ardelle and Silas Brister; father Obed Weeks; mother Leo Weeks; sister Doris Jones; brother Billy Weeks; and daughter Nancy Heinsz. He is survived by his wife Clarice Weeks; son Jimmy Weeks (Cynthia); daughter Ginger Weeks; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held at the West Protestant Church in West, at 10 a.m., with a service following at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Children’s of Mississippi, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Community Church of Oxford.