Rev. James "Jim" Edward Stanley

REV. JAMES E. “JIM” STANLEY I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth now there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not be me only, but unto all of them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8 Our beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, Rev. James E. “Jim” Stanley of Crab Orchard went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 22, 2015. He was born October 7, 1923 in Johnson City, TN to the late Nelson Cox Stanley and the late Nellie Alice Doan Stanley. Jim and his family moved to Fitzpatrick when he was one, and he lived there until he joined the US Navy, where he served his country proudly during WWII. He worked briefly for Appalachian Power Company, then began working at the Milburn Mines, while working there he started playing baseball for the coal company teams, where he excelled as a pitcher and was scouted by the Chicago Cubs; during his time off from the coal mines he worked for the Carolina Supermarket; he was also a carpenter and electrician, having built or help build many homes in the area including his own. For many years he was active at the Crab Orchard Brethren Church where he was a Deacon and served as a Choir Director. Music played a very large part in his life. He was a member of the Christian Harmoneers and several other gospel groups; and had a singing program on WWNR with his family. He taught Shaped Note Music Schools throughout WV and other states. He was a current member of UMWA having retired from the Stotesbury Coal Mine. Rev. Stanley became an Ordained Minister in the late 1960’s. He served as Pastor of the Sprague Freewill Baptist Church for 13 years, while there one of his proudest accomplishments was building the Sprague Christian Academy. He also served as Pastor of the Bradley Freewill Baptist Church, and the House of Prayer Freewill Baptist Church in Crab Orchard. He performed many weddings, funerals, and other activities during his ministry. He never met a stranger, helped anyone that was in need, and his main goal in life was to serve Christ, help others find Christ, and to give God the glory for it all. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Persinger Stanley; daughter, Lynne Murphy; sister, Lula Bowman; brothers, William and Jack Stanley; and an uncle, Bob Doan. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving daughters, Debbie Williams and husband, Mike of Mabscott and Patricia Barnhouse of Spencer; a son, Philip Stanley and wife, Rosa of Charlotte, NC; son-in-law, Rev. Eric Murphy; 13 grandchildren, Jackie Bailey and husband, Jeff of Whitefish, Montana, Sherry Murphy of Orlando, FL, Paula Pulsifer of Rumsford, Maine, Ron Murphy of Atlanta, GA, Carrie Preston and husband, Mike of Sarasota, FL, Ryan Barnhouse and wife, Shannon of Sarasota, FL, Cheyne Barnhouse of Hurricane, Brian Williams of Mabscott, Brandon Williams of Mabscott, Morgan Stanley of Tucson, AZ, Kayla Stanley of Rochester, NY, Casandra Ricci of Philadelphia, PA, and Nate Cilli of Charoltte, NC; 19 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; and four sisters, Ruth Korpman, Dorothy Meadows, Audrey Neuhaus, and Barbara Anderson; along with extended family and many friends. Services to celebrate the life of Rev. James E. “Jim” Stanley will be held 1:00PM Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley with Rev. Eric Murphy and Rev. John Hart officiating. Following the services he will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Grandsons and friends will be serving as pallbearers. Friends may gather with the family from 6:00PM until 8:00PM Friday, February 27, 2015 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley. The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregivers, Darfane Ramsey, Dinah Lacey, Vickie Bair, Karen Massey and Richard Tolliver; family friend and caregiver, Butch Jackson; special friend, Bill Sutphin, who was faithful to visit weekly; and a special thank you to his lifelong neighbors, the Norris Family for all the help and compassion shown through the years. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley is in charge of the arrangements.