James "Jimmy or Jim" Franklin Holifield of Lucedale, Mississippi passed from this Earth and on to his heavenly home on January 12, 2023. The family is deeply saddened by his passing but has come to realize that even though he is now gone in body, his memory and legacy will live on through everyone he has touched over the years. He was 75 years old.
He was born on July 12, 1947 in Pascagoula, Mississippi to Letha Priscilla Gill of Talcott, West Virginia and George Thomas Holifield of Shady Grove, Mississippi. He was one of six children. While in his youth, he lived in various small towns around Mississippi as well as a few of the larger ones; still, he called Shady Grove, Mississippi his hometown.
Upon completion of high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He went to boot camp at Paris Island and immediately shipped out to serve his country in Vietnam. It was on his tour in Vietnam that he began writing back and forth with a small town girl from Stringer, Mississippi. On leave from Vietnam, he came back home and swept that small town girl off her feet. Shortly after he married Donna Lou Riley and together they had three children. In 2022, James and Donna celebrated 54 years of marriage.
After a short stay in Kentucky and then receiving an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Donna and James made their home in Fountainbleau, Mississippi. After a few years they moved to the riverbanks of the Pascagoula in Cedar Creek and then on to Hurley, Mississippi. James spent his working career at the Pascagoula Chevron Refinery. It was there that he was privileged to travel the world for the company. He spent time working in England, Wales, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, as well as countless cities around the United States. After his retirement from Chevron, he started to do consultant work for Brown and Root until he felt it was time to retire again. It was then that his love for social interaction and antiques led him to start a personal owed business as street fair vendors. He and Donna traveled the state of Mississippi for many years selling antiques, cast iron pieces, knives of all sorts, and whatever else would strike his fancy. He continued on for several years until his health forced him to take some time off. It was during this time off that he found his greatest passion in his older years: being a pawpaw.
James has 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Spending time making them laugh and teaching them about life was one of his most favorite things to do. He was also known for being a practical jokester. If he cared about you he would joke with you and give you a nickname. He might be heard saying, "What did you do with all that money your mama gave you for singing lessons? Or, how far did you have to chase that person to steal those clothes? Or, you dropped your pocket! Or, don't step on that egg!" He also might be caught playing card tricks on the youngsters or even making ink disappear off of envelopes. And, if you were in a vehicle riding down the road, he may get you to play his "Hummer Game." His love for his family was clear in all he did, how he provided, and how he never held back his giving hands. His memory and legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of everyone that he knew, especially his wife, children, and all his grandchildren.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Letha and George Holifield; brothers, David and Terry Holifield.
James is survived by his soulmate of 54 years, Donna Lou Holifield; children, J. Donovan (Ann) Holifield, David (Tabitha) Holifield, and Kristi Kirkwood (Sean Davis); grandchildren, Rebekah (Keir) Whitt, Josh (Allison) Holifield, Katie (Trevor) Reeves, Jesse Holifield, Justin Maples, Gracie Holifield, Tyra Whiddon (Ike Mason), Emmia Holifield, Aaliyah Holifield, and Elizabeth Kirkwood; great-grandchildren, Shelby Reeves, Daisy Reeves, Jasper Holifield, Ansleigh Holifield, Amelia Holifield, Kinsley Mason, and Khloe Mason; sister, Janet Heatherly (James Bustin); brothers, Tom Holifield and Jerry Holifield; a beloved nephew, Michael Siddon; countless other family members that he loved dearly.
Serving as Pallbearers are the Grandchildren: Joshua Holifield, Katie Reeves, Jesse Holifield, Gracie Holifield, Tyra Whiddon, Emmia Holifield, Aaliyah Holifield, and Elizabeth Kirkwood. Serving as Honorary Pallbearer is Great-Grandson, Jasper Holifield.

The funeral will be held 11:30 am on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Carter Cemetery, 336 Section Line Road E, Lucedale, MS.

Calling hours will be Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 10:00-11:00am at Sigler Funeral Home, 4248 Main St., Lucedale, MS.

Sigler Funeral Home, 601-947-3112, www.siglerfuneral.com, 4248 Main Street, Lucedale, MS, is in charge of arrangements.