Jimmy Blue

JIMMY BLUE James Douglas "Jimmy" Blue ("Blue"), 69, died Monday, June 18, 2012, at Sanctuary Hospice House following a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Grace (Trotter) Blue and his father, Russell Graham Blue. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Dorothy Marie (McDonald) Blue of Tupelo; his five children, Lisa Blue (Amy Cox) of Gluckstadt, MS, Melissa Blue Peterson (Derek) of Helena, AL, Tona Justice (John) of Madison, MS, Mike Black (Marti) of Mantachie, MS and Tina Osborne of Tupelo, MS; his eight grandchildren, Carter Peterson, Avery Peterson, Alyssa Osborne, Lexie Osborne, Leighton Justice, Austin Black, Chris Black (Andrea) and Jonathan Black (Amber); and one great-grandson, Reid Black. Blue worked as a Customer Service Manager for Coats American, and retired in 2001 after 31 years of service. While he enjoyed his time at Coats American, his proudest professional achievement was his time with the Army National Guard, where he served as a Sergeant First Class. He hung up his dress greens after 25 years of service, but his devotion to the United States and the Army National Guard lived on through stories that he shared with family, friends, and fellow guardsmen. While the Army National Guard was his proudest professional achievement, his family was certainly his proudest personal achievement. Blue was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and he could often be found at home, grilling his famous steaks while sharing stories and jokes with his tight-knit family. Visitation will be held at W.E. Pegues Funeral Home in Tupelo on Tuesday, June 19, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and services will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Brother Don Fox and Brother William Shack will officiate. Derek Peterson, John Justice, Chris Black, Jonathan Black, Austin Black and Brian Gillespie will serve as pallbearers. B.L. Outlaw, Tim Gillespie, Jorgen Scheuer, Bob Maynard, Clifton Shields, Gene Godfrey, Bill Keller, Jim Harrington, Larry Hisaw and Fred Shumpert will serve as honorary pallbearers. Burial will be at Tupelo Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Sanctuary Hospice House.