James "Jimmy" Webb McKeel

James "Jimmy" Webb McKeel, 64, of Springville, Tenn., formerly of Rector, died Wednesday, March 15, 2006, at his home.

Born April 16, 1942, in Paragould, to James Clark McKeel and Willo Mae Webb McKeel, he was married May 6, 1963, to Sunnye June Banister.

He taught school for 31 years in New Madrid County, Mo., was a basketball and baseball coach, an avid fisherman and for the last six years served as minister at the Bethlehem Church of Christ. A storyteller and friend to all, he also was a photographer and a Civil War enthusiast.

He was preceded in death by one brother, John McKeel.

Survivors include his parents, James and Willo Mae McKeel of Rector; his wife, Sunnye June Banister McKeel; one daughter and son-in-law, Jamie Lynn and Thomas Sample of Dickson, Tenn.; one son and daughter-in-law, Jason Lee and Terri McKeel of Dickson, Tenn.; one brother and sister-in-law, Joe Kenneth and Carolyn Sue McKeel of Brookland; nine grandchildren, Megan, Taylor, MacKenzie and Keaton Sample, Jacob, Emily and Virginia McKeel and Joni and David Highfill, and his mother-in-law, Geraldine "Mamma Gerri" Runft of Springville, Tenn.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at McEvoy Funeral Home Chapel in Paris, Tenn., with Bro. Charles Cate officiating. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector with Bro. Charles Cate officiating.