James Nelson Wilburn, 89, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo where he had been in the last stages of his illness. He was born May 16, 1934, to Truman Crockett and Willie Delma Cockrell Wilburn. Nelson worked for Daybrite Industries for 20 years and later specialized in carpentry and home building before retirement. He was a member of Ozark Methodist Church and had been attending Shiloh Community Church for the past several years. Nelson enjoyed a long, fruitful life and was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with the Rev. Ronnie Hill officiating. Burial will be in the Stephens Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Orsborn Wilburn of Mantachie; four children, Jim Wilburn of Mantachie, Tommy Wilburn of Saltillo, Patti Herrington of Nashville, TN, and Jonathan Wilburn (Ginny) of Pontotoc; grandchildren, Jon Mark Wilburn (Jessica) of Orlando, FL, Sedena Lace Wilburn of Sherman, Tasha Dossett (Rudy Jr.) of Tupelo, Lacee Hall (Chris) of Saltillo, Colin Wilburn of Dorsey, Garrett Herrington of Jackson, MS, J.T. Franks (Christina) of Summertown, TN, and Tyler Wilburn of Pontotoc; five great-grandchildren; his brother, Joe Wilburn (Caroline) of Ozark; his step-daughter, Romona Orsborn Edge (Vaudry) of Mantachie; and a sister-in-law, Laverne Wilburn.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Louise Lauderdale Wilburn; his second wife, Mary Ruth Harris Wilburn; a daughter, Karen Louise Wilburn; a grandson, Conner Herrington; and his brothers, Truman Kenneth Wilburn (Hazel), Thomas Edwin Wilburn (Martha Dean), and Paul William “Pete” Wilburn.
Pallbearers will be Jon Mark Wilburn, Caiden Wilburn, Garrett Herrington, Phillip Wilburn, Paul Wilburn, Colin Wilburn, and David Wilburn.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 29, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachi
