James (Jimmy) Fowler Lancaster, 89, a special man in the Theta Community, passed from this life on Friday, May 2, 2014 surrounded by his loved ones. Jimmy is the son of the late James Walter and Bertie Peach Lancaster. He was preceded in death by daughter Sandra Dale Potts and son James (Danny) Daniel Lancaster and the love of his life, wife Christine, whom he met on Friday, January 5, 1946 and married 3 days later, marking the beginning of a love story of 57 years.
There were 11 children in the Lancaster home, 10 boys and 1 girl. Sammy, Copeland (Doc), Maury, Grady, Kenneth, Edgar, Raymond, Clyde, Jimmy, Leonard and Fred. Raymond, Clyde and Jimmy honorably served their country in World War II. These boys had really never been out of Maury county. Raymond, 22, left first and was sent to North Africa in the Air Force. Clyde, 20, was sent to Australia, in the Army. Jimmy had just turned 18 and was sent to New Guinea in the Army. Leonard was 16 and Fred 12 wanted to go with their brothers. The boys’ mother kept letters going so they would know where the other was being sent. A letter came saying that Clyde was sent to the Philippines, where Jimmy was, on the Island of Lu Sand in the Philippines. Jimmy told his buddies to be on the lookout for Dog-Calvary, that his brother could be on the island. The water truck driver told him he had heard of Dog-Calvary on the other side of the island. Jimmy got permission from his Captain and rode the water truck in search of his brother Clyde, whom he had not seen in almost two years. When found the Dog-Calvary he asked if they knew Lancaster, the soldier said “yea go down that path and you’ll find him.” Jimmy found Clyde in the chow line, he reached up in a tree for a mess kit and fell in line behind Clyde. A happy reuion between two brothers far, far from home. Soon after, their Mama’s prayers were answered, and all three sons came home. Throughout his life, Jimmy was proud that he and his brothers were able to serve their country in its’ time of need.
Jimmy was a storytelling dancer, a folkart, passed down from his Daddy. His story about the turkeys in the onion bed is widely known. His Daddy would perform on Saturday night at the local store and Jimmy watched him as a boy. Jimmy was also a Champion Buckdancer. He always enjoyed performing. His greatest love, however, was his family. He enjoyed attending any event, whether it be sport, school, or work related, to show his support. He was a huge sports fan, especially basketball. He loved to watch his great-grand children play.
Survivors include: daughter Wanda (Donald) Burns of Theta; brother: Leonard (Clara) Lancaster of Theta; sister-in-law: Melba Cheek of Palm Harbour, Fla.; special niece: Judy Louge; eleven grandchildren that called him Papaw: Gaylene White, Rhonda Price, Tracy Durfee, Gwendolyn Warf, Christy Ross, Sandy Hemphill, Cindy Long, Ronnie (Boo) Hill, Daniel Lancaster Jr, Amber Cook, and Christopher Lancaster; and twenty-one great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services for Jimmy will be held Tuesday, May 6th at 2:00 p.m., at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. The family will receive friends Monday, May 5th, from 4:00-8:00 p.m., and before the service on Tuesday May 6th beginning at 12:00 Noon. He will be laid to rest beside his loving wife at Theta Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be: Jensen White, Garrett Warf, Jordan Price, Colby Ross, Wyatt Long, Quinton Hemphill, Kennedy Ross, and Dylan Hill.
Special Friends include: Kenneth Webb, Gary Denton, Donald (Duck) Hassell, Emma and Wardell Anderson, Wayne Cates, J.C. Hunt, and Percy Nalls.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family online at www.williamsfh.com
