Mr. Arthur James Nance

Mr. Arthur James Nance of 102 Charlie Lee Circle, Cordele, Georgia died Thursday, March 3, 2016 at his residence.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 2:00 p. m. in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home, 407 West 17th Avenue, Cordele, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Mount Olive Church Cemetery in Warwick, Georgia.

Mr. Arthur James Nance, Sr. was born June 7, 1938 in Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia. He was born to Mr. Willie Nance and Mrs. Florine Ray Richardson.

Early in his life, J-Bird as he was known, accepted Christ as his personal savior and united with the Little Rock Baptist Church in Arabi, Georgia. He was educated in the public schools of Cordele and was a 1959 graduate of A. S. Clark High School.

On December 23, 1959, he received a wonderful Christmas present when he married “His Mary.” They shared 56 wonderful years     raising and loving their children and grandchildren.

After moving to Jacksonville, Florida, he united with the Moncrief Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. For 30 years he was employed by Anheuser Busch. He was a hard and dedicated worker until his retirement.   During the time of making a living for his family he owned and operated his own plumbing service, worked for Flowers Bakery, worked for Royal Cleaning Service, worked as a security officer and he also worked as an LPN.

Upon returning to Cordele in 2001, he remained a man of wisdom who possessed a humble spirit and who loved his family.

On Thursday, March 3, 2016, he quietly and peacefully transitioned from this life to life eternal. He is preceded in death by his father, Mr. Willie Nance.

Cherished memories of his life will forever be remembered by his loving and devoted wife, “His Mary,” Mrs. Mary Williams Nance of Cordele, Georgia; his loving and devoted children, Mr. Arthur J. Nance, Jr. of Cordele, Georgia, Mr. James E. Nance, Ms. Marian J. Nance, Mrs. Lora A. Glover and her husband, Mr. Paul Glover, Ms. Mary L. Nance, Mr. Marvin D. Nance and his wife, Mrs. Nickole Nance, Mrs. Angela D. Hall and her husband, Mr. Alonzo Hall, Mr. Melvin E. Nance and Mrs. Tina D. Haugabrook and her husband, Mr. Andrew Haugabrook, Sr. all of Jacksonville, Florida; 23 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; his loving and devoted mother, Mrs. Florine Ray Richardson of Winter Haven, Florida; his loving sisters, Mrs. Earnestine Davis and her husband, Mr. Wesley Davis and Mrs. Betty Ann Smothers all of Winter Haven, Florida, and Mrs. Shirley Long and her husband, Mr. Curtis Long of Old Hickory, Tennessee; a beloved brother, Mr. Garfield Richardson, Jr. of Winter Haven,   Florida; a loving aunt, Mother Luecinda Ray of Cordele, Georgia; a brother-in-law, Mr. David Gus Williams and his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Williams of Cordele, Georgia; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Margaret   Edwards of Jacksonville, Florida and Mrs. Ethel Atkins of Arabi, Georgia; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.