James "Jayburd" S. Killen's Obituary
James Stribling Killen (Jayburd), born to Anne Dodd Killen (d.) and William Sharp Killen (d.) on October 16, 1968 in Athens, Alabama. On April 19, 2024, after a prolonged illness, he left his earthly struggle behind.
He is survived by all the people he ever met and loved on his incredible life journey. In particular his wife, Amanda Fisher Killen, brother Steve Killen, sisters Laura Killen Ray, Jennie Killen Hutto, and Jennifer Blank (Henry), nephew Josuhua Ray, his wife Amy, and daughters Emma Grace, Mary Claire, and Zoey Anne. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Jordan Killen, brother-in-law David Ray, and stepmother Martha Killen.
Jay grew up a country boy in Athens, Alabama surrounded by family and good friends. He loved the
outdoors and the land, he was a long-time Boy Scout and earned the distinction of Eagle Scout in 1987. Jay attended Tanner High School and received his GED in 1987. He continued to have many good friends from his childhood and high school days and cherished their lasting friendships that connected him to his home. He loved hiking, camping, and fishing with his friends. He loved his animals, especially his barn cats. He developed his lifelong love of rock and roll and learned to play the drums at an early age.
Jay began a career in the restaurant business as a young man. He started in fast food and quickly moved from prep cook to line chef in restaurants and bars throughout Alabama, Tennessee, and even Florida for a time. His final kitchen gig was as a production chef at the Horseshoe casino in Robinsonville, MS. He left that life behind when he found a new life in sobriety and his whole world changed for the better. He worked as a courier and in the construction business until he became disabled in 2012. Jay spent 29 years in sobriety and was active in supporting and encouraging many others on a similar path. He met his love in 2008 and they were married in 2009. In December of 2012, Jay contracted botulism poisoning and was hospitalized for the next 16 months. He fought his way from complete paralysis to functional quadriplegia, relearning how to talk and eat and breathe, able to use his power chair and phone, and living at home with the assistance of a cadre of loving and devoted caregivers and friends. He continued to be active in sobriety and pursuing his loves, rock and roll, collecting drums, cooking huge kettles chicken stew for friends and family, adding to his concert t-shirt collection, and spending time with his beloved cats.
There will be a visitation from 5-8 pm on Thursday, April 25 and a Memorial Celebration at 10:00 am on Friday, April 26 in the Riverside Chapel at Memorial Park Funeral Home at 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119. A Graveside Burial Service will take place at 2:00 pm on Saturday April 27 at Roselawn Cemetery in Athens, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sunshine and Daisy Mobile Food Pantry:
Checks: 6025 Stage Rd, Ste. #42-393, Memphis, TN 38134
Venmo: @sunshine73daisy
Donation link at www.sunshineanddaisy.org
Sunshine and Daisy Mobile Food Pantry is a local organization that feeds folks in the Memphis area every Saturday. On the first and third Saturday of each month, a big blue bus takes food to neighborhoods in Memphis. The pantry is a no questions asked pantry serving anyone who comes to shop. On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, food is taken to The Warriors Center, a center for men in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.
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