James Lee Tipton

James Lee Tipton, age 77, of Johnson City, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at his residence. Mr. Tipton was born in Burnsville, North Carolina, a son of the late Adgie Tipton and Mara Cousins Mitchell. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion. Mr. Tipton attended Grace Freewill Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, Mr. Tipton was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Tipton. He is survived by his wife, Judith Caldwell Tipton; four children, Rusty Tipton and his wife Tina, of Polk City, FL, Sandy Farmer and husband Johnny, of Johnson City, TN, Robin Weeden, of Maryville, TN, and Candy Smith and husband Richie, of Youngsville, NC; eight grandchildren, Sabrina Farmer Kitto and husband Christopher, Michael Tipton, Kayla Farmer, Cloi Craig, David Tipton, Emily Weeden, Kierstyn Smith, and Cooper Smith; two great grandchildren, Justice Kitto and Valor Kitto; two brothers, Buddy Tipton and wife Carolyn, of Piney Flats, TN and Don Tipton and wife Joane, of Johnson City, TN; three sisters, Bessie McAllister, of Johnson City, TN, Marie Hughes, of Jonesborough, TN, and Wilma Holland and husband Leon, of Piney Flats, TN; two son-in-laws, Teddy Craig, of Knoxville, TN and Hal Weeden, of Maryville, TN; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 8, 2011 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Morris-Baker Funeral Home South Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm with Pastor Curtis Hurt officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, March 9, 2011, in the Monte Vista Memorial Park with military rights to be rendered by the Boone Dam VFW Post #4933 and members of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Pallbearers will be Richie Smith, Johnny Farmer, Hal Weeden, Teddy Craig, Christopher Kitto, and Leon Holland. Honorary Pallbearers will be Thurman Caldwell, Tim Orton, Jim Orton, and Tommy Orton. A funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 10:45 am Wednesday morning. The family would like to say a special thanks to all the members of Grace Freewill Baptist Church and to the Johnson City Medical and Washington County Sheriffs Departments. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be sent to the Salvation Army, 208 Ashe Street, Johnson City, TN., 37604. Arrangements are by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN. 423-282-1521.