James Parris Petty

James Parris Petty exchanged the troubles and cares of this world for the glories of heaven and eternal rest with his Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of God, on December 1, 2021. James entered this world as the son of J. Mullens Petty and Mildred Carman Petty on April 8, 1946. His paternal grandparents were John Oliver Petty and Jessie Mullens Petty all of McNairy County, Tennessee.

James is survived by six first cousins: David Petty (Gail), Jesse Petty (Ann), Vicki Shelton, Avon Shelton (Belinda), Martha Shelton Gray (Brent), and Mary Shelton Frye (Dennis). He left a host of cousins, friends, and acquaintances on this earth. His desire would be for all to prepare to meet him in the future by accepting God's free gift of salvation by acknowledging and believing in Jesus.

James was an artist who developed a God-given talent into a means of earning a living. He truly enjoyed his life's work. He worked as a commercial artist for the King & Stanley Sign Company (later OCI Sign Company) in Corinth and finished his public work at Design Team of Savannah. He enjoyed and appreciated almost all artistic productions: television, movies, music, concerts, and the local performing arts. He donated his time and talent to the Corinth Theater of Arts for many years and wrote articles for the Daily Corinthian newspaper, but James' real passion was his own work. He wrote, drew, published, and marketed his own graphic novel, "Tandra," under the pen name of Hanther. James' other passion was the family farm. Like many southerners his love of the land was deep and intense. Once his education was complete, he came back to the land and never left.

James was a faithful member of Chewalla Baptist Church. He especially loved his Bible study classes and the friendships that developed from them. His love was returned many-fold by his class members with an outpouring of their love by prayers, cards, visits, and food during his final illness.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Chewalla Baptist Church, from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Chewalla Baptist Church.