James Vail Sr.

James Louis Vail, Sr. was born on August 27, 1950, to the late Freddie Lee Vail, Sr. and the late Ruthie Mae Cobbs-Vail. He departed this life on December 29, 2025, after a sudden illness at Memorial Satilla Hospital with his family by his side. He worked almost 40 years as a heavy equipment operator with Larry Hill Landscaping. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and spending time with family.
He was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth Jenkins and one daughter, Tonga Madison; father, Freddie Lee Vail, Sr. mother, Ruthie Mae Cobbs-Vail and his siblings: Kayosbine, Freddie, Jr. Elester Vail, Jerome Vail, and Hosea Vail.
He leaves to cherish his memories, a devoted wife of 51 years and 7 months, Mary Vail of Patterson, Ga.; four children: Eldren (Nakisha) Jenkins, Lawanda Jones, James (Laparris) Vail, Jr. and Sayward Vail; twelve grandchildren: Tommie Miller, Jr., Eureka (Darius) Bowen-Lindley, Laparris Jones, Kenneth Jenkins, Gabion (Jessye) Copeland, Morris Madison, Jamontae Vail, Dezmon (Kristian) Hardy, Cheslea Madison, Nechyna Baker, Sha'dana and Shavez Warren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Lindsay (Catherine) Vail and John (Ellen) Vail; one sister, Patricia (Samuel) Walthour; two aunts: Helen Vail Williams and Elizabeth Kelly; four sisters-in-law: Wanda (Johnnie) Scott, Minister Vandella Harris, Omega Jenkins and Minnie McBride; five brothers-in-law: Frank (Frankie) Jenkins, Larry Jenkins, Lovie (Ticaria) Jenkins, Michael (Dorthy) Jenkins, Jackie (Ruby) Jenkins, and John D. Myles; one goddaughter, Briana Jernigan,and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends who will miss him deeply.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me
in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Services to celebrate his life are scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Evergreen Church in Bristol, Ga. A public viewing will be held from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Harrington Family Chapel.