James Hershel Currie

View Funeral Webcast James Hershel Currie, 79, resident of Columbia, died Monday at Life Care Center of Columbia. A private graveside service will be conducted in Polk Memorial Gardens with Pastor Tonya Marks. Memorial folders and a register book will be available for visitors under the carport at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home on Friday from 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Memorials can be made to the Tennessee Kidney Foundation, 37 Peabody Street, Suite 206, Nashville, Tennessee 37210 or https://tennesseekidneyfoundation.org/donate/. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born July 30, 1940 in Escambia County, Alabama, he was the son of the late Charnel Verbon Currie and the late Eunice Morris Currie Stacey. Mr. Currie served in the United States Army in the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell. On May 23, 1959, he married his wife Catherine Fay Hickman Currie, who preceded him in death on June 15, 2017. Mr. Currie worked as a self-employed carpenter for many years and was also a member of the Gideon International Bible Program. He enjoyed attending flea markets, deer and turkey hunting, and collecting old tools. Mr. Currie was a member of Grace Church of the Nazarene, where he was lovingly known as the “gum man” who handed out chewing gum to all of the children. He is survived by his son, Todd (Rita) Currie of Columbia, TN; daughter, Tammy (Steve) Wilkinson of Columbia, TN; brother, C.W. (Lavone) Currie of Mobile, AL; granddaughters, Emily Wilkinson and Laura Wilkinson; and several nieces & nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Joann Shanks, Juanetta Roberts, Sharon Martin, Rex Wall, and Ray Wall. Active pallbearers will be Brett DeVitt, Ken Little, Johnny Jaggers, Terry Pope, Chuck Madison, and Steve Patterson.