James R. Ashburner Sr.

Mr. James Jim was a veteran of World War II. He graduated with a degree in industrial engineering from Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va., where he played for four years on the VA Tech 'HokieDuring his active years, he enjoyed golf, music and sports of all kinds. He retired as the plant manager from Blue Bell Mfg. He was a member of Pritchard Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church, of Russellville, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church.Visitation was Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville.The funeral service will be Friday, March 26, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home chapel, with burial to follow in Franklin Memory Gardens.Officiating at the service will be Brother Johnny Richardson, Brother Jackie Richardson and Dr. Gene Balding.Mr. Ashburner was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur James Ashburner and Janie Mai (Crutcher) Ashburner; one sister, Dorothy He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Peggy Ann (Richardson) Ashburner; three sons, James Robert Jr. and wife, Carol, of Lanett, Ala., William Charles and wife, Suzanne, of McHenry, Ill., and Steven Wilbur, of Montevallo, Ala.; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one sister-in-law, Sybil (Carlyle) Hedden, of Fayetteville, Ga.; four brothers-in-law, Lon Lilly, of Houston, Texas, Johnny (Nell) Richardson, Jackie (Bunny) Richardson and Billy Richardson, all of Russellville; four nieces; four great-nieces; four great-nephews; a close and very special friend, Grace Burcham; all of his extended Richardson family members; and many, many friends.Pallbearers will include Steven Ashburner, Bob Ashburner, Seth Ashburner, Rip Richardson, Dean Richardson, Tom Richardson, Chris Richardson and Scott Richardson.Honorary pallbearers will include Billy Richardson, Carlyle Hedden, Lon Lilly, Eric Hedden, Albert Hedden, Col. Jeffery Denton, Matt Denton, Miles Cantrell, Charles Holcomb, Malcolm Rowland, Stafford Menard, Len Brantley, Tootie Martin, Alvie Lee Seal, Theo Moreland, Curtis Grissom, Gene Pace and the Pritchard Sunday School Class.Director of music program will be Mark Richardson.Donations to be made in lieu of flowers to: The Friends of the Russellville Library, 111 E. Lawrence Street, Russellville, AL 35653; Attn: Deborah Barnett, or Southern Care Inc. Hospice, 600-A Woodward Ave., Muscle Shoals, AL 35661.Special thanks to Johnny and Nell Richardson, Sherri Kennedy and Billy Richardson for all their hours of devotion and support and to the staff of Southern Care Hospice for their hours of help and assistance. Jim always demonstrated his deep devotion and love of his family and friends. His enjoyment of life and positive attitude regarding illness was an inspiration to all who love and will miss him. He truly believed Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville, is directing.