James Wilson Gravely's Obituary
James Wilson Gravely, age 86, of Smyrna, Georgia, earned his angel wings and went to be with the Lord on March 16, 2026.
He was born in Beckley, West Virginia, in 1939. Oh, how he loved West Virginia.
James did many things throughout his life. He served his country as a proud Marine.
He was a police officer in Park Ridge, Illinois, and he worked for National Envelope Corporation until his retirement.
James was a kind-hearted person who would do anything he could to help someone in need. He would be the first in line to hug you or say something silly just to make you smile. Out of all the things he did in his life, the most important thing to him was his family. He was the best father, husband, brother, and son anybody could have ever asked for, and he will be greatly missed.
James loved the Lord and was a member of Concord Baptist Church for many years. He loved his church family dearly. He loved to tell stories about growing up and days gone by. He talked about how his daddy worked in the West Virginia coal mines, and he often said his family was dirt poor, but he never knew it. He loved to fish, collect coins, and would spend hours looking them up (usually to find out they weren't really worth much). In his later years, he loved doing family genealogy with his daughter, finding out all the skeletons hiding in the closets. He thought he was something special when he found out he was related to a king.
It's often said, but so true, that he never met a stranger. No matter what he was doing, everybody who knew him knew all they had to do was call and he would come running.
James spent his whole life ready to go home to be with the Lord. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Barbara Gravely; his 2nd wife, Brenda Gravely; his son, James D. Gravely; his father and mother, Herbert & Ruby Gravely; his siblings, Ernest, Marvin & Ruby Gravely.
He is survived by his daughter, Chrislyn Gravely of Smyrna, Georgia; his sister, Dreama Richardson, niece, Star and her children from Steger, Illinois; his stepdaughter, Angie McKeeby from Florida & David & Maureen Gravely from Powder Springs, Georgia.
Jame's wishes were to be cremated. Soon, Concord Baptist Church will be having a memorial service for James. When the date is finalized posted on James's Tribute Page and his Facebook.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to support James’s daughter as she navigates financial responsibilities during this difficult time. If you would like to contribute, please visit this link.
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