Jimmy Ray DeBardeleben's Obituary
Jim passed away on March 6, 2018. He was born on March 21, 1935 in Lawrenceville, Illinois to Mabel and Fred DeBardeleben. His father, a F.W. Woolworth manager, was transferred to Memphis.Jim attended Vollentine Elementary, Snowden Junior High, Christian Brothers H.S., and graduated from Central High. He then received his B.A. degree from then Memphis State College, his M.A. degree from then Memphis State University, and his M.Div. from Candler School of Theology, Emory University.He was an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church and member of the Memphis Annual Conference. He pastored churches in Tennessee and Mississippi, including Trinity Methodist (assoc.), Highland Heights (assoc.), Williston, Piperton, Eads and Chambers Chapel. During his college days, he was a youth director at several churches and waterfront director for two summers at Lakeshore Youth Camp.Jim also had a teaching career, teaching courses at Lane, Lambuth, Memphis State, Shelby State, State Tech, and Middle College H.S.He leaves his wife of 52 years, Pat; three children, Jimpsie Jill Lee (Patrick) of Lakeland, Jon DeBardeleben (Jennie) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Jennifer Ashlock (Patrick) of NYC; and five grandchildren, Kathryn Lee, Colin Lee, Julia DeBardeleben, Josh DeBardeleben, and Lawrence Ashlock. He leaves his sister, Polly Smith (Wes) of Athens, Ga. His brother, Freddie DeBardeleben, preceded him in death in 2009. He also leaves a sister-in-law, Sally Morse Smith, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.Family will receive friends on Friday, March 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Eads United Methodist Church, 2917 Jefferson Road, Eads, TN 38028, followed immediately with a service. Burial will be at Chambers Chapel United Methodist Church, 3185 Chambers Chapel Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Eads United Methodist Church or Chambers Chapel United Methodist Church.
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