James Rives Pugh, 73, passed away surrounded by his loving family at Winston Medical Center on Monday, November 20, 2017. Visitation will be Friday, November 24, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with Celebration of Life Services at 2:00 p.m. all at Nowell Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, MS. Interment will be at Crystal Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery in Louisville, MS immediately following the services.
James was born on October 5, 1944 to Jolly and Estelle Rives Pugh. He was the youngest of seven children. He was a member of Crystal Ridge Baptist Church. James had several jobs during his life. He was a certified welder, certified electrician, a drummer of his own band The Crystal Blues and the owner of James Pugh Trucking. His favorite job was being and owner / operator of his own business. He retired in 2007 after being a trucker for over 30 years. He loved being on the open road and doing something different each day. But he loved being home with family more than anything.
James loved his family more than anything on this earth. He and his wife Carol Dickerson Pugh married on May 29, 1965 and have been married over 52 1/2 years. James and Carol have one daughter, Dawn Pugh Steed. He loved his wife and daughter with all his heart but his greatest gift and blessing was his two grandchildren, Sadie and Dalton Steed. Family meant everything to James from his wife and daughter, his grandchildren, his nieces and nephews and his friends that became family. He was a rock to all of them. He was always putting others first because he loved them so much. James knew a lot of people and had some very special friends and a wonderful family during his life. He will be greatly missed by all.
James is preceded in death by his parents Jolly and Estelle Rives Pugh, his brothers, Howard Pugh, Gerald Pugh, and John Thomas Pugh, and his sister Mable Pugh Barron.
James is survived by his wife, Carol Dickerson Pugh, of Louisville. His daughter, Dawn Pugh Steed and her husband Toby, and his grandchildren Sadie and Dalton, of Starkville. He is also survived by his brothers Walter Ed Pugh and W. O. "Bully" Pugh both of Louisville. And a host of nieces and nephews that loved him like a daddy and dear friends.
Serving as pallbearers are Corey Vernon, Nicholas Vernon, Patrick Miller, Brian Stevenson, David Poppell, Paul Pugh and Jimmy Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers are Berlin Roberson, Terry Vernon, Willie Earl Stevenson, Johnny Mac Ivy, Larry Joe Hemphill, Marvin Hemphill, Bill Stewart, Steve Coleman, Charles Williamson, Dale Mills, Bur Warner, Steve Davis, and the men of Crystal Ridge Baptist Church - Donnie Joe Hisaw, Bobby Fleming, Mike Robertson, Perry Hemphill, Kenny McCulloch, Wayne Clark, Lenard Hunt, and Tommy Sloan.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Nowell Massey Funeral Home to help defray the funeral expenses.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
