James Yadon "Jim" Wayland

James (Jim) Yadon Wayland, 66, of Knoxville Tennessee, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Signature Healthcare in Rockwood Tennessee. Jim had the quickest wit, the biggest laugh and an ability to make lifelong friends who will miss him dearly. He was an avid reader, an extraordinary talented writer, a gifted educator and a social worker. During his lifetime, Jim graduated from Gibbs High School and the University of Tennessee. Jim was a teacher at Halls Middle School, a case manager for at risk and homeless youth at Helen Ross McNabb Center, a teacher of ESL classes and a private tutor. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Lester James Wayland and Opal Marie (Yadon) Wayland; numerous aunts and uncles, including Evelyn (Warren) Bates, Flossie (Buell) Dalton and Elizabeth Yadon; cousin Bobbye Sue Bates. Jim is survived by his sister Lou Ann (Michael) Wayland Farley; close cousins Mary Evelyn Bates, Peggy Ellen (Dale) Longmire and Susan Anne Murr; nieces Christy (Keenan) Holbert and Jennifer (Brent) Bodie; nephew Richard Murr and other beloved family members and friends, including Darryl Cate, Jill Simpson Kaiser, Tracy Owens and Bettye Bean. After Jim's mother and father passed, he sought out his birth family. He met his birth mother Betty Lou (Littleton) Rampey, half-sister Krystal (Ian) Pettigrew, half-brothers Brad (Karen) Rampey and Kirk (Lisa) Rampey and many others. Mrs. Rampey preceded Jim in death, but his siblings survive. These relationships were a blessing to Jim in his later years. The family will receive friends from 11 am to 12 pm on Saturday, May 6th 2023 at Rose Funeral and Cremation Broadway Chapel, immediately followed by a 12:00 pm memorial service officiated by Rev. Dr. Alan Smith. In lieu of flowers and in loving memory of Jim and his beloved dog Burr, memorials may be made to the Young- Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division St., Knoxville, TN, 37919. An online obituary may be viewed and condolences extended at www.rosefuneraltn.com