James Carlton

JAMES CARLTON   Tupelo - James Benard Carlton, Jr., 77, went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, February 20, 2016 following a sudden illness. A Hamilton, Alabama native, he was born March 19, 1938 to James Benard Carlton, Sr. and Alma Irene Sullins Carlton. James served in the Army for ten years and also in the National Guard from 1971 until 1995. October 15, 1965 he married Martha Cook of Hamilton, Alabama. In 1971 they made Tupelo, Mississippi their home. In James working life he was the Shop Foreman for the Helicopter Division of the National Guard. James enjoyed fishing and was an avid Alabama football fan. He was a member of Tupelo Free Will Baptist Church.   Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Terry Pierce officiating. Burial will be in Poplar Log Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in Hamiliton, Alabama.   Survivors include his wife, Martha Jane Carlton of Tupelo; one son, James "Jimmy" B. Carlton, III and his wife, Rebecca of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; one granddaughter, Kendall Carlton; one sister-in-law, Nell Carlton of Hamilton, Alabama; one nephew, Perry Carlton of Hamilton, Alabama.   He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Jimmy Carlton, Douglas Carlton and Charles Carlton.     Visitation will be 9 until service time Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.