James W. Bunkley

Mr. James W. Bunkley, age 71 of 2401 Ozark Trail Atlanta, Georgia passed away Friday, July 29, 2016.

The funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 11AM in the Benhill Recreational Center of 2405 Fairburn Rd SW, Atlanta, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Southview Cemetery of Atlanta, Georgia.

Public Viewing will be Friday, August 5, 2016 from Noon-8 in the Ben Hill Christian Church of 4099 Sunset Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30331.

The Family is asking all flowers to be dispatched to the Ben Hill Christian Church of 4099 Sunset Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 on Friday, August 5, 2016.

James Wilson Bunkley was born December 29, 1944 to the parentage of the late Roosevelt Bunkley Sr. and Bertha Melson Bunkley in Manchester, Meriwether County, Georgia. At an early age he joined Mt. Sinai CME Church, where he served as youth leader, Usher, Trustee, Steward and Superintendent of Sunday School. James attended and graduated with honors from Meriwether County Training School. In the fall of September 1962, he enrolled in the Business Education Department at Fort Valley State College n/k/a The Fort Valley State University. While attending Fort Valley State, he was the first soloist trumpet player for the Blue Machine Marching Band, Editor-In-Chief of the 1966 Blue Flame Yearbook, Class Officer and in 1963, a member of the Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Other honors received were, Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities and the Wall Street Journal Award. He was also an amazing baseball player.

Immediately after graduation, James was drafted into the United States Army. His assigned duty was in Anchorage, Alaska as an Administrative Intelligence Specialist. On December 17, 1966, James married Anita Smith Bunkley and to this union one daughter, Mia, and three sons, Shawn, Stephen and Sherard were born.

On July 29, 2016, James went to be with the Lord. He was always devoted to his wife, children and family. His firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. He was cheerful, happy, dedicated and very dependable.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Mia Bunkley, three brothers Roosevelt Bunkley Jr., John Lee Bunkley and Willie Floyd Bunkley of Detroit, Mi.

While his presents will be forever missed, the precious memories of James shall be treasured forever by his loving and devoted wife, Anita Smith Bunkley, and sons Shawn (Kimberley) Bunkley, Stephen Bunkley, and Sherard Bunkley, all of Atlanta, Ga., grandchildren Shamari Bunkley of Cordele, Ga., Schylar Bunkley, Simeon Bunkley, Sherard Bunkley, II all of Atlanta, Ga., sisters, Thelma Ford of Albany, Ga., Mary Anderson of Manchester, Ga., Peggy (Bobby) Hambrick of Jonesboro, Ga. and Barbara (Willie) Russell of College Park, Ga., sister-in-law’s, Mary Bunkley and Faye Bunkley of Detroit, MI., brother-in-law, Otis Smith of Atlanta, Ga. and a host of niece’s, nephew’s, family and friends.

“And there you have it.” JWB

The family may be contacted at The Bunkley Residence, 2401 Ozark Trail Atlanta, Georgia.

 The New Bentley-Carson Memorial Funeral Home of Cordele and Crisp County has charge of all arrangements. Please visit our website for more information www.bentleycarson.com.

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