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FRANKLIN – James Wiley Church Jr., 72, of Franklin, passed away Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in Southampton Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 11, 1949 in Ashland, Kentucky to the late James Wiley Sr. and Margaret Ann (McKnight) Church.

Jim was the third child of 12 and the first born son of James and Margaret. Jim is survived by his wife of 52 memorable and spectacular years, Janie Roybal Church; his daughter, Megan Church Johnson and husband, Dallas; his sister-in–law Mary Roybal Church; his loving siblings, Nola Thacker Parsons, Rosemary Elkins, Barbara Daugherty (Allen), Joyce Puckett (Roger), Brenda Church, Garnet Tackett (Gary), Tina McFann (Alan) and Teresa Butler; and his best friends, John Mulder and Warren Tooley. Jim also is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews as well as his granddogs and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving brothers and sister, Robert Church, Paul Church, Cheryl Church; his sassy mother-in-law, Cecilia Ochoa Roybal; and his granddaughter “Peanut.”

James, Mr. Jim, Butch, Wiley or “Dollar Bill,” whichever name you knew him as, loved his family, fishing, driving trucks and working on his old truck. You never saw him without a smile. He was willing to give anyone the shirt off of his back and help someone less fortunate. He was a hard worker and spent many hours on the road seeing places far and near. He especially loved his wife and his daughter, he would do anything and go anywhere they asked… even if it was to New York and back for a day of shopping and to see the “Big Tree.” We promise to keep your memory alive by sharing our memories just like you loved to do.

Jim’s memorial will be held at Wright’s Funeral Home in Franklin on Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. Family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior and one hour after the service. Instead of sending flowers, the family would like if you would send cards with your fondest memories of Mr. Jim to The family of Jim Church, P.O. Box 1084, Franklin, VA 23851. Also please hug your family tight and tell them you love them “bunches” every day. That’s the Mr. Jim way.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org