John Earnest Stanfill

1944 - 2013

John Earnest Stanfill

John Earnest Stanfill, age 69 of Jackson, TN, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

John was born in Mobile, AL, to the late John and Ruth Stanfill. He grew up in the community of Medina, TN, where he graduated from Medina High School. Upon graduating with a business degree from Bethel University, he was employed by Second National Bank, where he quickly earned the position of vice-president and led a very successful career in banking. John was also a retired First Sergeant with the 30th Armored Brigade of the National Guard. In his earlier years, John also served as member of The Jackson Civitan Club and The Jackson Elks Club. He retired three years ago after many years as finance manager with Graves Motors, Milan, TN.

John will be tremendously missed by his family. He was very proud of his two daughters and grandchildren. His family will always remember his gentle spirit and quiet, unassuming manner and will strive to carry these qualities forth. John enjoyed and loved gardening, even having just recently planted another one. He enjoyed reading the newspaper and keeping current with world events. He also had a poodle he enjoyed doting on lovingly. During the last years of his life, he most enjoyed being close to home and spending precious time with his family whom he loved dearly and who dearly loved him.

He was a devoted member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he had served many years as elder and held various positions of the session. In later years, he became a member of West Jackson Baptist Church, where he was a member of The Alred Goddard Carpenter BFT class.

In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his brother, Billy Joe Stanfill; his father-in-law, Tommie E. Callis; mother-in-law, Victoria Callis, and sister-in-law, Joan C. Austin.

Surviving are his wife, Sandra Stanfill, with whom he had just celebrated his 47th wedding anniversary; his two daughters, Dee Stanfill Watkins, Jackson, TN and Shara "Cissy" (Chris) Stanfill Watkins, LaVergne, TN; beloved sister, Peggy Stanfill Ward, Jackson, TN, and dear brother, Gerald Wayne Stanfill, Munford, TN. John also leaves six grandchildren, Kiersten Nicole Watkins and Kelby Stanfill Watkins, both of Jackson; Christoper John Watkins II, Kaydee Victoria Watkins, Jackson Yorke Watkins, and Elijah Samuel Watkins, all of LaVergne, TN.

Services for John Stanfill will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at the George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel, with the Reverends Andy Neely and Ron Hale, officiating. The family requests that members of The Alred Goddard Carpenter BFT class please be seated together. Pallbearers will be Kelby Stanfill Watkins, Chris Watkins, Danny Ward, Keith Callis, Glen Curlin, and Ronnie Graves. Honorary Pallbearers are Billy Alred and Lenny Cuthbertson. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 12 to 2 p.m., at the George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel. The family has requested that lasting memorials be directed to West Jackson Baptist Church Youth or The American Heart Association.

George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel, (731) 427-5555.