James Edward "Jimmy, J. O." Overton

James Edward "Jimmy/J.O." Overton, 82, of Covington, passed away on Wednesday, September 24 at Baptist Hospital DeSoto. Jimmy was a devoted and loving husband, father, and friend. He attended First Presbyterian Church, Covington, and was an avid University of Tennessee fan. An excellent athlete who loved the outdoors, Jimmy was a longtime golf player and enjoyed fishing from time to time. In his early years, he was known to duck hunt. He also loved fast pitch softball. He played for over 26 years, always playing first base. Jimmy's work life centered around construction. Prior to opening his own business, J. O. Contracting, which installed underground utilities, Jimmy was a crane operator. His many jobs in the Memphis area included work on the Mid-South Coliseum, Ridgeway High School, Baptist Hospital-Desoto, the Shelby County Justice Center and Saint Francis Hospital, just to name a few. Jimmy also served the community and supported many civic endeavors. He served in the Tennessee National Guard and supported various charitable organizations including the American Heart Association, Covington Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), the Wounded Warriors Project, the Tipton County Commission on Aging, and the American Cancer Society. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kerry Walker Overton; one son, Heath (Laramey Lawson) Overton of Nashville; two sisters, Billie Jean (Ken) Garrison of Livingston, TX and Betty Sue (Joe) Marchese of Gaithersburg, MD and one brother, Charlie (Cindy) Overton of Covington, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Delyn Walker Matthews and Dr. Barret Matthews of Barretville; two nieces, Rebecca-Jayne (Jon) Burnett of Barretville and Annalyn (Chris) Henderson of Covington and one nephew, Barret Walker (Antionette) Matthews of Dallas, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Icy Overton, and sister, Louise Miller. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 28 at the First Presbyterian Church, Covington, with interment to follow in R. H. Munford Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday and until service time at 3 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either Covington Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), P.O. Box 415, Covington, TN 38019 or First Presbyterian Church, Covington, 403 S. Main St., Covington, TN 38019.