James Cecil Elliott, 74, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born on July 28, 1950 in Water Valley to James Hulon and Lona Pearl Rodgers Elliott. James attended Water Valley High School and at age 17, he enlisted in the United States Army. Serving in Vietnam during the war, James was assigned to the 101st Airborne as a paratrooper and he was a Purple Heart recipient. Following his time in the service, James moved back to Water Valley where he worked as a carpenter and later retired as a truck driver. He married the former Lila Douglas in 1969, and he was a graduate of Arkansas State University. For the past 35 years, he made his home in Amory where he loved to play golf, fish, and attend Ole Miss games. James was active in coaching his children in sports and loved to umpire local baseball and softball games.
Visitation will be on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 3 until 5 p.m. at Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home in Amory with a brief service following. Military honors will be rendered also.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, Lila Elliot, he is survived by one son, James Walter Elliot (Misty) of Saltillo; his son, Tracy La’Trice Dietz (Bill) of Littleton, CO; 9 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; several siblings; and special friend, Nick Ballard.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Stephen Alex Elliot.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to The Wounded Warrior Project.
