Tupelo - James Daniel Sandefur, 51, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at his home after an extended illness. A Tupelo native and lifelong resident, he was born August 26, 1956 to Elois Bedford Sandefur and the late Robert A Sandefur. A graduate of Tupelo High School, he then went on to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, University of Mississippi and Trevecca Nazarene College. Before becoming disabled he worked for the Department of Human Services. He was a member of Wildwood Baptist Church.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Bro. Lewis Bridges and Bro. Mike Sauvageot officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park.
Survivors include his mother, Elois Bedford Sandefur of Tupelo; his brother, Robert David Sandefur of Tupelo; two step children, Belinda A. Howes of Seatle, Washington and Patrick L. Posey of Marietta.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Ann Posey Sandefur; his father, Robert A. Sandefur; and sister, Janie K. Hayse.
Pallbearers will be Neal Whitten, Ronnie Vallarian, Mitch Robins, Cecil Payne, Randy Kennedy.
Honorary pallbearers will be NMMC Ambulance Service EMT's; Tupelo Police Department and Tupelo Fire Department EMT's.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,1640 Lelia Drive, Suite 130, Jackson, MS 39216.