James Levertt McCellon

James Levertt (J.L.) McCellon passed away peacefully on September 29, 2014 following an extended fight with Alzheimer�s disease. He was with his wife of 58 years, Sandra McCellon, and surrounded by his daughters and his grandchildren. He was 78 years old. He was known by many names throughout his life. Most in his early life called him �Brother,� a name given by his six brothers and sisters. His three daughters lovingly called him Daddy. He was known by co-workers at Texas Eastman as J. L. or �Jelly.� His McCellon nieces and nephews called him �Uncle Buddy,� and his Shockey nieces called him �Uncle J. L.� The church family at the Graceton Church of Christ knew him as �Brother J. L.� His adored and adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren called him �Papa.� And, Sandra, his �San,� most often called him �Baby.� He was born in the Grice Community, near Gilmer, on October 11, 1935. He grew up and worked on sharecrop homesteads throughout Upshur County before graduating from New Diana High School and marrying Sandra Shockey on October 9, 1957. He worked for 34 years at Texas Eastman and retired in 1993 as a maintenance foreman. He was a faithful member of the Graceton Church of Christ and served as elder of the congregation for more than 30 years. Until his illness, he liked to say he went to church �every time the doors opened.� Throughout his life he loved hard work and laughter. He loved to visit and made many friends in the Longview Mall or at Wal-Mart while waiting for San to finish her shopping. He was a caregiver all his life, helping San with the care of her mother, Maye Shockey, and supporting all who needed him at Graceton. In his retirement he spent time fishing with friends, watching cattle being sold at the Longview sale barn, and doing whatever the grandchildren wanted him to do. He never cared much about things, but when he was able, he did enjoy a pretty horse, a new bull, a new tractor, or a new pick-up truck. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Shockey McCellon and his children, daughter Denise Cooper, daughter Venita McCellon-Allen and son-in-law Don Allen, and daughter Tina Turner; grandchildren Tristan and Tricia Brown, Caleb and Kameron Brown, Hannah Turner, Lissy Turner, and Mary Carol Allen; great-grandchildren Breanna Horak, Bianca Brown, Brinkley Brown, Braylie Brown, and Bryson Brown. He also is survived by his brother Charles McCellon and sister-in-law June McCellon; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Henry and Wanda Pope, and also brothers-in-law Curtis Shaw and Wayne Thompson. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, James E. McCellon and Leona Green McCellon of Gilmer; also brother Ervin McCellon, sisters Virginia Shaw, Sally Evans and Geneva Thompson, also of Gilmer, and sister Ouida Scarpella, of Wray Colorado. Visitation with the family will be held Thursday, October 2, from 6 � 8 p.m. at the Graceton Church of Christ, located on FM 1972. The service will be held Friday, October 3 at 2 p.m., also at the Graceton Church of Christ. Burial will be at the Maddox Cemetery near the church. Sandra and the family are deeply grateful for the love and care of Faith Hospice, including caregivers Denise, LeMarsha, Seth, Susie and Susan. Friends and family who wish to remember J. L. may consider memorial donations to Faith Hospice, 4362 Us Highway 259 N, Longview, TX 75605 or to the Alzheimer�s Association.