Mr. Jessie James “JJ” Furr, Sr., 76, of Selma died on Monday, November 10, 2014 after a short battle with cancer. Services will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Selma with the Rev. Milton Brown of Sandridge Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Garden with Randall Miller Funeral Service, Selma, AL directing. He was preceded in death six years ago by his loving and extraordinary wife of 51 years, Darnella Tate Furr. He then enjoyed many meals at Vasser’s Mini Mart; he was an honorary member of the Vasser Family.

Mr. Furr was born to parents (Beatrice Shields Furr and James Furr, Sr., both deceased) who were hard working sharecroppers. They instilled in him a work ethic that embodied pride in performance and excellence. He left home at the age of 15 to work and contribute to his family’s well being. He was hired as a porter at Sears and Roebuck Company where his high performance standard was rewarded – he became the first black Salesman to go on the floor! He started in the Hardware Department and eventually was promoted to the Large Appliance Department. After 38 years of employment and many Employee and Sales Awards, he elected to retire from Sears when the Selma Mall location closed.

Years later, Mr. Furr worked part-time with Professional Transportation Inc. (PTI). He thoroughly enjoyed transporting and talking with the “railroad men”.

Mr. Furr was a lifelong, avid cattle farmer. He loved his “four legged gals”. He met many friends through farming and the Cattlemen’s Association. He was instrumental in mentoring and encouraging others to start farming and persevere, never quit. Mr. Furr was very humble, kind, and honest. He embraced the disadvantaged, fatherless, and the poor. His rental properties were often times charity focused. He encouraged area youth to study hard to get good grades and to work hard to earn money, thus, encouraging strong work ethics. He often said that he was happy, very blessed and lived a good long life.

Survivors include one son Jessie James “Chuck” Furr, Jr., and four daughters Gloria Hasberry, Gladys (Leon) Perrin, Katina (Duane) Stewart, ad Lynette Furr all of Atlanta, GA; son-in-law James Hasberry, Jr. of Birmingham; one sister, Janie Ward of Inkster, Michigan; six sister-n-laws, Floree Myatt (Levy) Sanders of Beloit, Ora Brenda Gordon of Selma, Rosa Mary Patton, Jane Tate & Pauline Tate all of Cleveland, OH, and Thera Mae Tate of Detroit, MI; one aunt Annie Mae Shields; eleven grandchildren; Joshua Furr of Selma, Raphael Crum, Charity Hasberry, Jamenique (Andy) Brown, Carl Dexter (Kendall) Crum, II, Darceeia Hasberry, Martinique (Adria)Crum, Rickie Joel Green, Rachel Stewart, and Alexis Stewart all of Atlanta, GA and Jessica Furr; twelve great-grand children, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.