James H. Whitfield, 85, of Russellville, died Tuesday, April 15, 2014. His family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church of Russellville. His funeral service will follow with Dr. Gene Balding officiating.
Mr. Whitfield was a native of Franklin County and a member of the 1947 graduating class of Red Bay High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1950 to 1954. He graduated from Florence State University and the University of Alabama. He taught math at Russellville High School before serving as principal for 18 years. He then became assistant superintendent for Russellville City Schools; a position he held until his retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Russellville. He was an active member of the Russellville Rotary Club where he was honored with the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels, gardening, Alabama football, and spending time with this grandchildren and great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carson Thorn and Jimmy Chester Whitfield; wife, Bonnie Thornton Whitfield; and infant son, Timothy Wade Whitfield; sister, Betty Dexter; brothers, Wayne Whitfield and Johnny Whitfield; and son-in-law, Ed Borden.
He is survived by daughters, Susan Whitfield Borden and Cindy Whitfield Hutchins (Ted Ikerd), of Muscle Shoals; grandchildren, Olivia Odem (John), of Killen, Rachel Mitchell (Scott), of Pelham, Trey Wooten (April), of Russellville, and Carson Hutchins, of Tuscaloosa; great-grandson, James Palmer Wooten; sisters, Mary Ellen Battani and Marie Fortenberry; brother-in-law, Charlie Dexter; and sisters-in-law, Peggy Whitfield and Shirley Whitfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Larry Thornton, Steve Whitfield, Floyd Tirey, and Rocky Stone. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Russellville Rotary Club and the Bowling-Courington Sunday School class. To sign the online registure book go to akinsfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local Meals on Wheels or to a charity of your choice .
Akins Funeral Home of Russellville Assisted the family.
