James Conley Valentour

December 19, 2024. He was 88 years old and was preceded in death by his beloved wife

Georgia Worsham Valentour.

Jim was born in Stearns, Kentucky on January 29, 1936. He was the last surviving child of

Joseph Charles Valentour and Selena Augusta Meece, whose other children were Leona

Valentour, Joseph Valentour II, Wesley Valentour, Noble Valentour and Mildred Valentour

Alexander.

Jim was a bible scholar and a graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ill. Throughout his

adult life he shared his extensive knowledge of the bible as a teacher, preacher and lecturer.

He also sang in the church choirs and served as a cantor and soloist at Cedar Hill Baptist

Church in LaFollette, Tennessee.

Jim earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Kentucky and a Masters Degree from

Western Michigan University. He spent his career as an educator in the classroom and as an

elementary school principal.

Jim had a passion for cutting wood. He loved the challenge of cutting trees, no matter the size,

sawing them up, splitting the wood, and artfully stacking it. He then delivered truck loads of

wood to people who needed wood for heating their homes. He intimately knew every type of

tree which made the best firewood. His kindling box was a work of art with the pieces arranged

neatly by size.

Jim is survived by his nieces and nephews, affectionately known as “Uncle Con,” Diane

Alexander, Theresa Still, Janet Valentour, Tamara Schuster and husband Bob, John Alexander

and wife Helene, Joe Valentour and wife Cathy as well as all their children and grandchildren.

Jim is also survived by sisters-in-law Beverly (Becky) Fretwell, husband Bob, and Sandy Clift

husband Terrell and their children: Amy Clift Davis and Roger, David Clift and Barbara, Scott

Clift and Trude, Mike Fretwell and Aimee, Beverly Fretwell West and Jason, Jodi Worsham

Brantley and Jerod, and Kelsey Worsham as well as all their children and grandchildren.

Jim and Georgia touched the lives of many extended family members, friends and strangers.

They gave freely and loved all with their faith in Jesus as the standard in which they lived their

lives which was always with a genuineness, a modesty and a holiness that enriched the lives of

all who were touched by them.

A memorial service will be held on January 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel/event center at

Sacred Ground Hospice House, 1120 Dry Gap Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918.

In lieu of flowers, you may honor Jim’s dedication to helping needy causes by donating to his

favorite charity Heifer International, a non-profit working to end poverty and hunger

Heifer International

PO Box 8058

Little Rock, AR 72203-9412 or donate online at Heifer.org