Public Visitation: January 19, 2022 from 12-4pm at W.E. Lusain Funeral Home Chapel, 249 6th Avenue SW, Birmingham, Alabama 35211.
Funeral Service: January 20, 2022, 11am at New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, 7400 London Ave, Birmingham, Alabama 35206.
Interment: Valhalla Cemetery - 839 Wilkes Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35228.
Minister, James W. Nation Sr. of Graysville, Alabama, January 10, 2022 was born November 12, 1949 in Brookside, Alabama.
KNOWN BY MANY TITLES: JAMES, DADDY, PAPA, BIG BROTHER, BIG DADDY, BROTHER NATION, PATRIOT, DEPUTY NATION, CLANSEY AND CAT DADDY AMONG THE FEW. He was also known for his STERN but GENTLE spirit.
He met his wife Loretta Finley, November 25,
1965, about 8:00 at Windham’s Blue Flame on Glasgow Hill, Adamsville, Alabama. This is a date he always bragged on. He
NEVER forgot dates. They were married about four years later. They were inseparable and celebrated 52.8 years of bliss. From this union, they had four children. He was a strict but loving dad and granddad. You can ask any of the kids.
James graduated from Alden High School in 1967. He was a lead tenor singer in the school choir and played basketball.
James was a very hard worker and believed in providing for his family. He worked several jobs from school bus driver, truck driver delivery for Piggly Wiggly, salesman at Sears (yep, he was a salesman), security guard, driver for RPS, coal miner with Jim Walter Coal Mine No. 4, his last job was with the Jefferson County Sheriff Department. He worked there for 23 years until he retired 2012.
James enjoyed listening to music. There was no genre he could not hit a beat to. You wouldn’t believe he knew songs from the 50’s,
AND Country music. With a captivating voice, he would sing all of them. He sang and led songs in the church choir and had many invitations to sing at weddings. James enjoyed food and was a connoisseur of wines.
James enjoyed traveling across the country. He and Loretta traveled to more than 30 states and lots of them with the children. There was not much site-seeing as he wanted to beat the time it took to travel. His greatest adventure was traveling to Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Jordan with Loretta and friends from Dallas in the 80’s. James gave his life to Christ in the 70’s where he served faithfully and dutifully with New Covenant Bible Church. He served as Minister, Deacon, Elder, song leader in the choir, Bible Study teacher, Sunday School teacher, among many other duties.
Teaching was his joy where he studied Bible and Theology. He got his training at Southeastern Bible College, Birmingham Theology Seminary and Trinity Bible on-line courses.
In His earlier years,
he enjoyed teaching Bible studies from house-to-house with a small group. In his later years he looked forward to teaching Bible study at New Canaan Church on Wednesday nights.
JAMES LAST WORDS TO US: Loretta: I love you so much
Kenneth, Jackie: Thank You
Tara: Give me 25 minutes
James: I love you
Preceded in death; Father, William Wesley Nation; Mother, Myrtle Scott Nation Collins; and brothers; Charles, Ronald, and Tyrone. His memories will be cherished forever by his loving and caring wife, Loretta Finley Nation; four loving and adoring children; Sons; Kenneth Earl Nation ( Wanda) Hickory, NC; James (Scoobie) Westley Nation II, Fairborn, GA; Daughters; Jacqueline (Jackie-Princess) Denise Nation; Tara (Pumpkin) LaShay Nation, (both Birmingham, Al), Grandchildren; Brittany, Gabrielle (Gabby), Kenny Jr., Cortez, Eric ( EJ), Tanaya, Ta’Mara, Taia: Great Grandchildren; Ke’Nise, Jariath, Kobe, Jeremiah, Darron Jr., Desmon, Bryce, and Blake; Siblings; Michael, Karen Denise, Kelvin (Joann), and Jonathan all of Alabama, Melvin (Naomi) NC; two aunts; Ira Russell, and Betty Nation,
a multitude of Nephews, Nieces, In-Laws, Cousins and loving friends. Professional services provided by W.E. Lusain Funeral Home and Crematory, Birmingham, Alabama.
