James Everett Mings

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[James Everett Mings, 85, of Raleigh, passed away at 2:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at his residence.

He was born Dec. 11, 1923, in rural Raleigh, the son of the late Robert Alvis and Dora (Pulliam) Mings. He married Opal Elizabeth Bradley on Dec. 14, 1944, in Harrisburg. Opal passed away October 26 of this year. They were married 64 years.

James Everett is survived by his two children, Sharon (Jerry) Park of Decatur and Gary (Helen) Mings of Divernon; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Grant (Norma) Mings of Broughton; along with many nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his wife; parents; three sisters, Mary Oglesby, Blanch Mings and Frances Miller; three brothers, Robert, Earl and Bill; and two infant brothers.

James was a farmer in Saline County from 1944 to 1952. In 1952 he began his career with Caterpillar Tractor Company in the Joliet plant. He relocated with the opening of the Decatur plant. He was a plant supervisor of material control. In 1982 he retired with 30 years of service. In 1986 James moved back to his farm north of Raleigh, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their years. James was a member of the Long Branch Baptist Church. James also received the VNA caregiver award in 2007 for providing outstanding care to his bedridden wife Opal.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at the Long Branch Baptist Church with visitation from 11 a.m. to the funeral hour Tuesday morning at the church. Officiating will be Gary Mings, the Rev. Jerry Park, the Rev. Ron Nelson and the Rev. John Gilmore. Burial will be in the Raleigh Masonic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to VNA Hospice of Eldorado.

Sloan Funeral Home of Galatia in Charge of arrangements.