James Rivers Bearden (Jimmy) was born January 24, 1928 to Monroe and Edna Perry Bearden. Mr. Bearden passed away on Monday, September 16, 2013. He will be remembered for his love for God, Family, and his love for the outdoors. His most cherished times were spent with his family. He was recipient of the Medal of Occupation of Japan and World War II Victory Medal. He was also a long time employee of Holsum Bakery and American Candy Company.

Mr. Bearden is survived by his wife, Dorothy Bearden; children, James Allen Bearden, Sr. (Miriam) and Paul Monroe Bearden (Mary Gail); grandchildren, Pam Ivey (Marc), James Allen Bearden, Jr. (Carrie), Jonathan Ross Bearden (Gwen), John Paul Bearden (Natalie), and Kent Monroe Bearden; great grandchildren, Mathew Alston Ivey, Grace Anne Ivey, Emma Kate Bearden, Jackson Wells Bearden, James Graham Bearden, and William Hatch Bearden; brother, Johnny Bearden; sister, Dorothy Lovelady ; numerous nieces and nephews; step children, Janice Bowling (Temple), Jim Henderson (Kathy), and Joy Sikes (Dan); step grandchildren, Elizabeth Bowling, Temple Bowling (Kimberly), Jonathan Bowling (Jackie), John Allen Taylor (Lori), Paige Henderson Sleister, and Meghan Henderson; step great grandchildren, John Clark Bowling, Katie Bowling, Elizabeth Bowling, Temple Bowling IV, Tyner Beth Bowling, Walt Chandler Bowling, and Zachery Sleister.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Kopp officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow at New Live Oak Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to Memorial United Methodist Church, 2510 Broad Street, Selma, AL 36701 or Alabama Teen Challenge, P.O. Box 445, Selma, AL 36701.

Mr. Bearden was preceded in death by his sisters, Willie Mae Hopkins, Mageline Seymore; brothers, Oliver Bearden, Mutt Bearden, and A.C. Bearden.

The family would like to extend special thanks to his sister, Dorothy Lovelady for all her love and care and to the staff of Cedar Hill Assisted Living and Park Place Nursing Home.

Please visit http://www.lawrencebrownservice.com to make online condolences to the family.