Jimmy Lee Deaton, age 85 of Lynchburg, passed away at his residence on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. A native of Moore County, was born on October 17, 1936, to the late Tomie and Elon Deaton. Jimmy served his country in the United States Army. At the age of twenty, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Smith, and they spent sixty-five years happily married. They had a beautiful life together. Jimmy excelled at everything he did. He loved to hunt and fish, but his greatest love was baseball. He was introduced to it at an early age when his father built a ball field near the country store he owned, and everyone played baseball on Sunday afternoons after church. Jimmy, a left-handed pitcher, played on the American Legion Team and became so good that he actually played for the Nashville Sounds at one time. Jimmy loved his black angus cattle; he was a member of the Black Angus Association for many years. He and Helen made pets out of some of the calves. They loved animals in general and fed many stray cats. They always had a bevy of hummingbirds each spring and at times would fill the feeders twice a day. After he retired from the golf plant in Tullahoma, he delivered the mail in Moore County for many years. Church was a major part of Jimmy’s life. He attended Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church all his life and served many years as Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Treasurer. His father, Tomie Deaton, actually gave the property to the church for the fellowship hall. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; and infant son, Jeffrey Clay. Jimmy is survived by his brother, Melvin Deaton; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 12 to 3 pm on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home in Lynchburg. Funeral Services will follow at 3:00 pm with Jimmy’s nephew, Troy Deaton officiating. Interment will be at Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery. Even though we celebrate his graduation to his heavenly home, we will miss him dearly. Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 181 Majors Boulevard, Lynchburg, TN 37352, (931)-759-4552
