On Friday, September 15, 2023, James E. Bales (Jim), age 76, passed away peacefully with his wife, Abbie W. Bales, at his side.
Jim was born and raised in Gatlinburg, TN, where he attended Gatlinburg Pittman High School and in 1966 was drafted into the US Army to serve in Korea. He is a member of Oldhams Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Sevier County, TN. When he returned home, he and Abbie were married in October of 1971 and celebrated 51 years together. He was a builder/contractor in Sevier County until he retired to Western Kentucky to his farm. Leitchfield, KY was home to family from his mom’s side and a place he loved visiting. Retirement consisted of days on the tractor, car shows, traveling, jigsaw puzzles, building beautiful Dulcimers and Guitars and afternoons of playing music on the front porch.
Jim was preceded in death by his father Bruce P. Bales (TN) and his mother Loreane Mattingly Bales (TN). He is survived by his wife Abbie Watson Bales (KY), his Uncle Leonard Mattingly (KY), his sisters Louise Bales Barker (TN) and Wanda (Kit) Mc Keon (FL), his brother Roger (Donna) Bales (TN) his nieces and nephews Lora Stormes (TN), Cari (Pierre) Levesque (FL), Rebecca Bales (NY), Mari Bales (OH), Michael Barker (TN), Benjamin Bales (CA) and great and great great nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to Barbara Crewz (KY) and Bobbie Hood (KY) for all the support during these last days and before, he appreciated and loved you. Also, to Helen and Jerry Ownby (TN) he treasured all your years of friendship.
The family will be receiving friends and family on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 4 – 6pm at Dermitt Funeral Home, 306 West Main Street, Leitchfield, KY 42754. Graveside Service will be on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 11AM at Eveleigh Cemetery off of Hwy 259.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the charity of your choice. Flowers are beautiful, but not necessary.
