James was born April 7, 1936, to Rudell and Melrose Tennison Arnold in Georgia. He was a member of Noxapater Baptist Church. James liked to “piddle”…he enjoyed taking things apart to see how they worked; but he was not always successful in putting them back together! In his younger years, he also enjoyed fishing. James retired as a diesel mechanic on the pipeline.
James is survived by two daughters, Debra Arnold (Angel Huddleston) of Philadelphia and Marie Deese (Mark) of Decatur, Mississippi. One of his greatest joys was being “Daddy James” to his two granddaughters, Madison Alford Chunn (Eli) and Morgan Alford. He is also survived by his four great-grandchildren: Darci Chunn, Roper Chunn, Mabree Lou Chunn, and Gunner Neese; as well as his loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Lou Suttle Arnold, whom he visited each day at the cemetery; his daughter, Ann Arnold; his parents; and three siblings: Mary Ruth Cetchovich, Minnie Ruth Valdez Cook, and Jack Arnold.
Serving as pallbearers are Rusty Suttle, Charlie Wilkes, Kenny Drury, and Riley Jones. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in honor of Daddy James be given to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.
