Obituary for James Allen Conaway
t is with a broken heart that we write this obituary of James Allen Conaway of Pelham, Alabama, formerly of Harman, Virginia. He was born on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1957 and departed this life June 1, 2019, making his stay here on this earth 62 years, one month, and eleven days. James was preceded in death by his parents, Trinkle Conaway and Irene Yates Conaway Stiltner; his maternal grandparents, Walter and Canzaty Yates; his paternal grandparents, John and Hettie Conaway; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
James leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Gayle of Pelham, AL; daughter Lisa (Paul) Moss of Bristol, VA; sons Jonathan (Tamara) Conaway of Clintwood, VA, and Joshua Conaway of Honaker, VA; step-son Jeremy (Amy) Rakes of Birmingham, AL; sister Joyce (Calvin) Cole of Ligonier, IN; 11 grandchildren - Skyler Rakes, Hope Hurley, Dylan Hurley, Eugene Moss, Cherish Conaway, Scarlett Rakes, Stella Rakes, Jamison Conaway, Jayna Conaway, Solomon Rakes, and Ryder Cornett; one niece Jennifer (Art) Delgado and their two sons Lance and Logan of Ligonier, IN; and three special aunts Ethel (Elbert) Hagerman of Angola, IN, Emalene (Ernest) Blankenship of Cedar Bluff, VA, and Bonnie Deel of Birchleaf, VA.
James was a smart, loving, and kind man who loved his family and friends with a special love. He was the best daddy, brother, husband, and popaw, and we never doubted how special we were to him. He always said, "I always treat others how I want to be treated." He was always working hard for his family and to help others. He was an electrician and a mechanic in the coal mines while he raised his family. In 2002, he was blessed with the job he loved so much for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), a division of the US Department of Labor, as an electrical specialist and moved to Alabama where he met his precious wife, Gayle, and they made a beautiful life together. He had so many friends and everyone who knew him held him dear in their heart.
James was baptized in 1994 and had strong faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His heart's desire was to see his family serve the Lord. He has been a member of Mountain View Old Regular Baptist Church for 25 years. As spoken in Matthew 25:21, we believe His Lord has said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He was a faithful servant and we long to meet him again in our heavenly home where there will be no more pain, tears, and heartache.
James was called to his heavenly home after a very unexpected illness. We are thankful for the time that God blessed us with him. We love James more than words can express but we know that God loves him more. We are so thankful for everyone who came and visited, brought food, and poured out so much love to us during this heartbreaking time.
Written by his broken hearted family. We love you and miss you so much daddy and brother!
Services in Alabama will be held Monday, June 3, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Alabaster, 903 3rd Ave NW, Alabaster, AL 35007. Funeral service will be at 6:00 PM with visitation an hour prior.
Services in Virginia will follow on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Mountain View Old Regular Baptist Church, 2219 Rakes Ridge Road, Birchleaf, VA 24220. Funeral service will be at 6:00 PM with visitation an hour prior and Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the church prior to burial.
Graveside service at Conaway Cemetery in Birchleaf, VA on Thursday, June 6, 2019 following funeral service at 10:00 AM. Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com
James leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Gayle of Pelham, AL; daughter Lisa (Paul) Moss of Bristol, VA; sons Jonathan (Tamara) Conaway of Clintwood, VA, and Joshua Conaway of Honaker, VA; step-son Jeremy (Amy) Rakes of Birmingham, AL; sister Joyce (Calvin) Cole of Ligonier, IN; 11 grandchildren - Skyler Rakes, Hope Hurley, Dylan Hurley, Eugene Moss, Cherish Conaway, Scarlett Rakes, Stella Rakes, Jamison Conaway, Jayna Conaway, Solomon Rakes, and Ryder Cornett; one niece Jennifer (Art) Delgado and their two sons Lance and Logan of Ligonier, IN; and three special aunts Ethel (Elbert) Hagerman of Angola, IN, Emalene (Ernest) Blankenship of Cedar Bluff, VA, and Bonnie Deel of Birchleaf, VA.
James was a smart, loving, and kind man who loved his family and friends with a special love. He was the best daddy, brother, husband, and popaw, and we never doubted how special we were to him. He always said, "I always treat others how I want to be treated." He was always working hard for his family and to help others. He was an electrician and a mechanic in the coal mines while he raised his family. In 2002, he was blessed with the job he loved so much for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), a division of the US Department of Labor, as an electrical specialist and moved to Alabama where he met his precious wife, Gayle, and they made a beautiful life together. He had so many friends and everyone who knew him held him dear in their heart.
James was baptized in 1994 and had strong faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His heart's desire was to see his family serve the Lord. He has been a member of Mountain View Old Regular Baptist Church for 25 years. As spoken in Matthew 25:21, we believe His Lord has said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He was a faithful servant and we long to meet him again in our heavenly home where there will be no more pain, tears, and heartache.
James was called to his heavenly home after a very unexpected illness. We are thankful for the time that God blessed us with him. We love James more than words can express but we know that God loves him more. We are so thankful for everyone who came and visited, brought food, and poured out so much love to us during this heartbreaking time.
Written by his broken hearted family. We love you and miss you so much daddy and brother!
Services in Alabama will be held Monday, June 3, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Alabaster, 903 3rd Ave NW, Alabaster, AL 35007. Funeral service will be at 6:00 PM with visitation an hour prior.
Services in Virginia will follow on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Mountain View Old Regular Baptist Church, 2219 Rakes Ridge Road, Birchleaf, VA 24220. Funeral service will be at 6:00 PM with visitation an hour prior and Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the church prior to burial.
Graveside service at Conaway Cemetery in Birchleaf, VA on Thursday, June 6, 2019 following funeral service at 10:00 AM. Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com