James Earl Jefferson, Jr. [UPDATED] | Eastern NC Now

    James Earl "Bodilly" Jefferson, Jr., age 40, of Pinetown, died Monday, July 21, 2014.

    A 1992 graduate of Northside High School, James was a Duke sports enthusiast. After graduation, he went to work with Hackney, Inc. and was currently employed with PCS Phosphate. James loved being outdoors and was an avid hunter and sports fisherman. He will be remembered as a great husband, father, uncle, role model and best friend. James was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, J. T. and Dorothy Jefferson; his maternal grandparents, Jesse and Letha Mae Wallace; his paternal great-grandmother, Minnie Ruth Mills; and his grandmother-in-law, Goldie Spain Keeter.

    Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Shannon Jefferson; his sons, James Ethan Jefferson and Nathan Grady Jefferson of the home; his parents, James Earl "Jim" Jefferson, Sr. and Becky Wallace Jefferson; sister and brother-in-law, Roxanna and Steve Leggett of Washington; brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Cheri Jefferson of Covington, GA; nieces, Breanna and Lexie Leggett of Washington; mother-in-law, Anne Keeter of Pinetown; several aunts, uncles, cousins; and a host of friends.

    There will be a celebration of his life at 4:00 pm, Friday, July 25, at Rosemary Church of Christ, officiated by Mike Caton. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Junior Mills, Tony Mills, John Shuck, Jason Goodlin, William Perdue, Benji Leggett, Frankie Windley and Dion Askew will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends Thursday, July 24 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Hillside Funeral Service, 4500 Hwy 264 E., Washington, NC and other times at the home.