James Edward Craighead

James Edward Craighead, Age 81, of Gainesboro, TN, passed away on February 11, 2023 in Cookeville TN. Funeral service will be held at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 1 pm with Bro. Jimmy Anderson and Bro. Mike Fox officiating. Burial will follow at John L. Clark Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday 1 pm to 8 pm and Tuesday, 10 am to 1 pm.  

James Craighead was born in Smith County, TN to Charlie Dave Craighead and Mary Olean Deering Craighead on October27, 1941. He went to school in Smith and Jackson County. He worked as a Plant Manager for Mid-South Wire for 38 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting and fishing, playing poker on his Kindle, telling jokes and making people laugh, old cars, listening to bluegrass music and whittling and watching sports.  He married Barbara Martin on September 21, 1963 for a total of 59 years.

 James is survived by his wife, Barbara Martin Craighead of Gainesboro. Son Chris (Carey) Craighead of Lebanon TN. Daughter Karen (Mickey) Smith of Gainesboro. Daughter Amy Vance of Denver CO. Grandchildren Rachel (Rob) Craighead Riley. Kyle (Logan) Craighead. Katie (Stephen) Brown Stewart. Kyleigh (Dale Holt) Head. Dylan (Jessica) Craighead. Gabrielle and Cadence Vance. Whitney, Dalton and Alyssa Hight. 13 great grandchildren. One brother Kenneth (Ruby) Craighead Carthage. Betty (Jeff) Jones of Nashville. Special brother-in-law Hugh Martin. And many other special nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his father Charlie Craighead, mother Olean Craighead, sister Jean Craighead Gore. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to nurses in the Cardiac Vascular ICU at Cookeville Regional Medical Center and Nurse Practitioner Michael for their exceptional care during his stay. 

Memorial donations may be made to Amercian Heart Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by contacting the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Stewart, Kyle Craighead, Dalton Hight, Dale Holt, Oliver Lynch and Ronnie Martin.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry Frizzell, James Martin, Bill Jenkins and David Martin.

God took the strength of a mountain,

The Majesty of a tree, 

The warmth of a summer sun, 

The calm of a quiet sea, 

The generous soul of nature, 

The comforting arm of night, 

The wisdom of the ages, 

The power of the eagle’s flight, 

The joy of a morning in spring, 

The faith of a mustard seed, 

The patience of eternity, 

The depth of a family need, 

Then God Combined these qualities, 

And then there was nothing more to add, 

He knew his masterpiece was complete, 

And so, he called him – OUR DADDY

Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  931-268-1550