James Allen McCanless passed away at his home on September 25, 2024.
Most knew him as a man of God, deacon at his church, Cross Bridges Baptist Church. Allen Loved his church and did many years of service from mowing to cooking sunrise Easter service every year. He also held the position of Treasurer for 40 years.
Allen graduated from Hay Long High School in May of 1951.
Allen also served in the United States Army from November 1951 to May 1952.
Allen owned McCanless Trucking for 48 years, he helped his sons and establish their own business and now he has another generation of grandsons in it.
Allen also worked at Rippey’s Auto Parts as a delivery man when he stepped away from trucking. Later, he became the delivery person for Mack Parts.
He took care of so many over the years: church members, family members and anyone that was in need. He supported his sons, whether it was a high school basketball game or helping them change a dump truck tire. He was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, son, brother, brother-in-law, and his favorite was Poppa A. His grandchildren could get him to answer any request made from making store runs, McDonald’s pancakes to helping make woodwork items. He loved to burn items at the shop, use duct tape on anything and his favorite love was to MOW.
He and Dorothy Faye McCanless were married 69 years before she passed on December 28, 2023. They got married in Iuka, Mississippi on June 5, 1954. They had two sons, Samuel Allen (Elizabeth) McCanless and Steven Brent (Brenda) McCanless. They also shared grandchildren: Cameron (Christina) McCanless, Brandon (Heather) Mabry, Brittany (Ryan) Floyd, Ryan McCanless (Callie Parks), Karsyn McCanless (Adam Kilgore), and Brady McCanless; greatgrandchildren: Adalee McCanless, Tyler and Ava Floyd, Shelby Mabry, and Charlie McCanless. He also had two special nieces Pam McCanless and Patty (Terry ) Williams; sister in law: Betsy (Richard) Davis and their children; brother in law: Thomas “Sonny” (Gayle) and their children. He is also preceded by brother: Alfred Ray McCanless in 2001 and brother in law: James Dudley McCormick in 2017.
The ending of his story was lead by prayer as he passed away peacefully. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Melinda Hodge, Donna Nolan, and Hilda Pickard for the last three years of keeping Faye and Allen at home comfortable and Compassus Hospice for their wonderful care: Lisa Paige, and Michelle.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Mabry, Ryan McCanless, Brady McCanless, Ryan Floyd, Bobby Fralix, Don Love, Brittany Floyd, and Karsyn McCanless.
Honorary pallbearers members of Cross Bridges Baptist Church, past and present employees of McCanless Trucking Company, caregivers: Melinda Hodge, Donna Nolan, and Hilda Pickard; Dr. Kropf and Dr. Griban Naddy, radiation department of MRMC, Dr. Stephen Simmons, and J.C. Williams.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Williams Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee. The service for Allen will be on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM in Williams Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee with Dwayne Crumley officiating. Allen will be laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee.
