James Boatwright

James Houston Boatwright Junior passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at age 85.  He was born  March 15, 1934 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late James Houston Boatwright Senior and Ella Neely Boatwright. After the death of his father in 1935, he and his mother moved to the Neely Family Farm near Orrville, Alabama.

James graduated from Albert G. Parrish High School in 1951.  He attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute graduating in 1955 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  James worked for Western Electric in Winston Salem, North Carolina for 25 years before joining Bell South in Birmingham, Alabama.  He retired from AT&T in 1991.

James was an avid history buff, a computer guru, and a true gentleman who loved his Southern heritage. He was a faithful member of The First Baptist Church.

A graveside service will be Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 2:00 pm in New Live Oak Cemetery with Dr. Jerry Light officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Service directing.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory first cousins, Samuel Dunlap Neely III, and Mary Elizabeth Neely Jones and second cousins, Neely Jones Portera, Phyllis Pearson Portwood, John Pearson, Lynn Taylor, Kay Neely, Carolyn Bradshaw, and Robyn McQueen.

Pallbearers are Samuel Dunlap Neely III, John Paul Portera, John Bonner Portera, Dr. Robert Currey, Robert Owens, and Jim Hamner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to First Baptist Church 325 Lauderdale St. Selma, AL. 36701.