The funeral service for James I. “Sonny” Kerley Jr., age 86 of Lineville, will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Lineville. Burial with military honors will follow in the Lineville City Cemetery.
Mr. Kerley passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at his home. He was a Clay County native, a graduate of the Clay County Training School and a veteran of the U. S. Army. Mr. Kerley served the City of Lineville as a police officer then retired from Ace Products where he had worked as a foreman. After his retirement, he worked part-time as a security guard for Wellborn Cabinets. Mr. Kerley loved to play checkers, work outside and share jokes and funny stories. He was a member of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
Mr. Kerley is survived by four daughters: Denise Melton of Fairfield, Nina Bell (Wilbur) of Phenix City, Pamela Smith (Terry) of Anniston and Karen Kerley of Lineville; three sons: Marcus Kerley (Kelly) of Anniston, Timothy Kerley (Niki) of Lineville and Sidney Kerley of Chicago, IL; two sisters: Annie Jo Golden of St. Albans, NY and Patricia Gibbons of Lineville, 8 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and a large extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents: James Ishmael Kerley Sr. and Ieula Pruett Kerley; his wife, Junie Mae Kerley; one sister, Katie Garrett and one brother, Joseph Hall.
Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday June 6, 2018 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville. He will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to service time on Thursday. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or www.cancer.org/donate.
Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville in charge of the arrangements.
