James Bearden

James E. Bearden, 83, of Lyman, SC, died Sunday, November 27, 2016, at Spartanburg Medical Center. Born April 17, 1933, in Pauline, SC, he was the son of the late Lucious and Bessie Kennedy Bearden. Mr. Bearden was employed by Belue Trucking of Fairforest, SC. His trucking career spanned 65 years, starting at age 18 with Johnson Motor Line and includes owning his own company, Bearden Trucking Company, plus several other companies. First, he was a child of God, a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, president of the PTA with a life-time membership, and former president of the SC Trucking Association. Mr. Bearden loved to garden and share the fruits of his labor with all his friends and family. He wore many "hats" and did them all with patience and wisdom. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Shirley Gwinn Bearden; three daughters, Debbie Strickland (Randy), Vickie Williams (Eddie), and Teresa Brown (Jimmy); six grandchildren, Leslie Strickland, Mark D. Strickland (Candi); Jamie Horton, Jared Horton, Alyson Thornton (Andrew), and Emily Brown; three great-grandchildren, Gabriel Hammonds, Isabella Strickland, and Elijah James "Eli" Strickland; sister, Grace Bearden Kiser; sister-in-law, Ruby Smith Bearden; brother-in-law, Thomas Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Bearden and A. Smith Bearden; and a sister, Elsie Bearden Johnson. Visitation will be 3:00-3:45 PM Saturday, December 3, 2016, at River Hills Baptist Church, 5762 Reidville Rd., Moore, SC 29369. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 PM, at the church, conducted by the Rev. C. Kent Smith and others. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to District Five Family Ministries, c/o Middle Tyger Community Center, 84 Groce Road, Lyman, SC 29365 online at http://www.middletyger.org/donate; or River Hills Baptist Church Lottie Moon Fund, 5762 Reidville Rd., Moore, SC 29369. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James E. Bearden please visit our Sympathy Store.