Wade, Sr., James Franklin

James Franklin Wade, Sr., 95, of Raphine, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2020. He was born June 10, 1924 at Wade’s Mill, the son of the late Walter H. Wade and Bessie Berry Wade. He married his wife, the late, Blair Terrell Wade, on November 12, 1945.

He was a veteran of WWII W. S. Army Medical Corp. 5th Infantry Division and for 2 ½ years served in Ireland and Europe. He received a Purple Heart for injuries received in the Normandy Liberation of France as a stretcher bearer. His division was assigned to General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army where he served as an ambulance driver to the front lines. The 3rd Army combat action liberated France, Germany, Luxenberg, Belgium (Battle of the Bulge), Austria and Czechoslovakia where the war ended May 8, 1945.

He retired on July 1, 1985 as bank manager of Sovran Bank in Staunton (Bank of America) with 24 years of service. He was an active member of New Providence Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder, Deacon, Teacher, choir member, and many other positions in the church for over 50 years.

Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife and parents; sisters, Elsie W. Ramsey, Polly S. Wade, Mary Alice Talbot and Frances Sterrett; brothers, Billy H. Wade, W. Hamilton Wade and C. Winston Wade; and granddaughter, Sarah Allen Wallis.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Blair Wade and Dale Clymer of Riner; son and daughter-in-law, James Franklin “Frank”, Jr. and Betty Wade of Staunton; granddaughters, Elizabeth W. and Matthew Fillman of Richmond and Rebecca Lynn Wallis of Arlington; and a great grandson, Wade G. Fillman.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at New Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Raphine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice, 315 Myers Street, Lexington, VA 24450 or to New Providence Presbyterian Church. 1208 New Providence Road, Raphine, VA 24472.

The Wade family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.

www.mullinsfuneralhome.com