Starkville, MS
Funeral Home
Welch Funeral Home
Visitation
Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Starkville
Service
Saturday, July 21, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church in Starkville at 4:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Graveside service will be held at Oddfellows Cemetery immediately following the service.
Obituary
Obituary for James “Jimmy” Raymond McKell
James “Jimmy” Raymond McKell
James Raymond “Jimmy” McKell, 91 died peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.
Jimmy was born in Schenectady, NY on March 21, 1927 to Cecil Vivian and Anna Raymond McKell. He attended schools in Jackson, Clarksdale, and Grenada Mississippi before graduating from New Dorp High School on Staten Island, NY.
Jimmy served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific in World War II. He returned to attend Mississippi State College (now University) receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and a Commission in the U.S. Army through ROTC. Jimmy served two years on active duty in the Army, then joined the Mississippi National Guard, eventually receiving a promotion to Brigadier General as he retired with over 28 years of military service
Jimmy married Marguerite “Titter” Turner on June 16, 1954. In their 53 years of marriage they raised four children; he ran a successful dairy and worked as a rural mail carrier.
He served as an Elder and Deacon and on numerous committees of First Presbyterian Church Starkville. He served as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. In his later years, he enjoyed his monthly breakfast with the 31st (Dixie Division) Association and trips to Scotland, Ireland and continental Europe.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his wife, Titter, and his sister, Mary Vivian McKell Bradley.
Survivors include his four children, Margaret McKell Earnest (David), Athens, GA, Raymond T. McKell (Lauri), Starkville, William A. McKell (Janet), Starkville, and Vivian McKell Cade (John), Starkville. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Robert Earnest, James Earnest, James McKell II, David McKell, Ryan McKell, and Anna McKell.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Starkville, with the funeral service at 4:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Graveside service will be held at Oddfellows Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any military veterans group or Starkville Habitat for Humanity, 101 S. Lafayette St., #24, Starkville, MS 39759, or any charity of choice.