James Howard Womack Sr.

Veteran funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Florida National Cemetery for James Howard Womack, Sr, 91, Prattville, AL, who died Friday, May 3, 2024. Navy veteran service and Rev. John Sanders from Generations Church will officiate.

Mr. Womack was born in Gadsden, AL, on December 24, 1932, to Mr. Louise and Rosa Belle Womack and lived in Gadsden until 1976 ( except for years living in Boaz, AL, 1961-67) when he moved to Orlando, FL, and then later in 2021 to Prattville, AL. He was a star quarterback for the Emma Sansom Rebels from which he graduated in 1950–51, where he was known as “Red.” He then married his sweetheart, Helen Ruth Presley, and joined the Navy until 1954. After a career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Walt Disney World, he retired in 1996 to travel. One extended trip was enjoyed before he became a widower and he appreciated a trip to Scotland and Liverpool with his son, Michael. His church in Orlando, formerly the First Baptist Church of Pine Castle (now Generations Church) holds many great friends and memories. He was also very active in the Elk’s and served as chaplain during part of his membership. In 2021, he moved to Prattville, AL, to live with his daughter and son-in-law, where he met more great friends.

James Womack was a patient, kind, and generous man who was slow to anger and always believed there were consequences to your choices. After waking every morning, he loved having coffee and watching the birds which he did plenty of during his last 2 1/2 years at his daughter’s farm. While he was a plain and simple man, he was very intelligent and would not hesitate to offer advice if he thought it would be helpful. He was an exceptional wood whittler, loved Big Band, Dean Martin, and Elvis gospel music, and was an outstanding dancer which he did with his wife to entertain his children when they were young. They continued to dance and cleared the floors while people watched and cheered them on. He was a wonderful whistler and was known to family and friends by his loud whistle which could be heard for blocks. Another one of his qualities was loving and training dogs whether it was beagles for hunting or family pet dogs. Most of all, he loved his Lord Jesus .

He is survived by his sister, Dorothy W. Oden, Boaz, AL; daughters, Angelia Ruth Barrett (Mark), Prattville, AL, Debra Jean Anderson (Charles), Kingwood, TX;

sons, John H. Womack, Elmhurst, NY, Joseph H. Womack, Salado, TX,

Michael D. Womack, Orlando, FL; five grandchildren, Joshua S. Gilbert (Melissa), Heather A. Riley (Patrick), Justin C. Anderson (Holly), James Cole Anderson, and Tanner C. Womack, and two grandchildren by marriage, Natalie B. Gurney (Bryan), and Clint M. Barrett. Great-grandchildren, Mary Carleton, James(Jack), and Miller Gilbert, Christopher and Charlotte Riley, Jackson , Conner, and Madelyn Anderson, and two great-grandchildren by marriage, Henry(Hank) and Barrett Gurney. Special mention: nephew, Seth Ellis and caretaker, Jasmine R. Curtis.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Ruth Presley, and sons, Stephen Charles Womack and James Howard Womack, Jr.

His family would like to thank the 1st floor and ICU staff of Baptist East Hospital in Montgomery, AL, Dr Salinski and all his staff, and a special thanks to Chaplain Stan Mills and all his co-workers at Baptist Health Hospice in Montgomery, AL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Generations Church, formerly the First Baptist Church of Pine Castle in Orlando, FL or to St. Jude’s Hospital.