James David Nunnally

1945 - 2025

James David Nunnally, 79, of Ripley, MS, departed this life on Monday, January 6, 2025, at Diversicare of Ripley. Born January 15, 1945, in Dumas, MS to James Bartlett (J. B.) and Virginia Joyce (Anderson) Nunnally, James attended Dumas School and graduated South Tippah High School in 1963. He continued his education at Northeast Mississippi Junior College where he managed the Tiger Basketball team. He continued his education at the University of Mississippi, earning a bachelor's and then a master's degree in education.

James married Betty Jo Michael of Prentiss County, MS on April 15, 1968. He taught history at Walnut High School and Old Salem School (Ashland, MS) while his wife, Jo, taught at Pine Grove High School.

James was elected to the Mississippi State Legislature in 1972 and served as the Representative for Tippah and Benton Counties for 16 years. During that time, he advocated for improved education, healthcare, industry, and transportation in Northeast Mississippi. He also helped numerous individuals from his home and neighboring counties obtain driver's licenses, birth certificates, and other official paperwork, often obtaining them from state agencies and driving the documents back from Jackson himself. James was appointed to serve on the Southern Regional Education Board, representing the State of Mississippi in the furtherance of public education.

After serving his district, James returned to teaching until he was presented with the opportunity to serve his community again, being asked to assume leadership of North Benton County Health Care, Inc., a community health center in Ashland. Under his leadership, the clinic system became solvent and expanded to Walnut and Ripley. With the help of faithful key employees, it rapidly expanded from 2000 to 2022 to Prentiss, Alcorn, Tishomingo, Union, and Lafayette Counties, providing discounted healthcare services and prescriptions to over 18,000 individuals.

Like his father before him, James served as an elder at the Ripley church of Christ for many years. James was a faithful member of the Union church of Christ in his later years, where his grandfather began preaching in 1891.

Visitation will be at McBride Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Service will be Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Ripley church of Christ.

James is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Jo (Michael) Nunnally of Ripley; his son, Miles David Nunnally (Christina) of Ripley, one grandson, James David Nunnally II of Oxford; three sisters, Betty Principi of Woodbridge, Virginia, Mary Grace Fulwood (Randel) of Byhalia, and Ginger Simpson (Bob) of Ripley; one brother, Ronnie Nunnally of Dumas, and a host of nieces and nephews. As all in life, James was blessed with many friends, but he was especially grateful for those who were friends to the end.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Francis Guyton Nunnally.

The family would like to thank the staff at Diversicare of Ripley and Legacy Hospice for their care. Also thank you to special friends who often came to call during his illness: Terry Mason, Terry Moore, Greg Richardson, Blair Childers, Harold & Margaret Garrison, and Gary Harrington.

Pallbearers will be: Bob Simpson, Terry Chapman, Chris Fulwood, Mike Grist, Terry Mason, Terry Moore. Officiating will be: Patrick Chapman and Donnie Debord.

Arrangements by: McBride Funeral Home, Inc., Ripley, MS

www.mcbridefuneralhome.com