James Edward Haley

On the beautiful evening of May 9. 2024, James Edward (Eddie) Haley Jr. was walking in his garden with Janice, his wife of 58 years. At 7:30 PM he passed from this world and stepped into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born on July 2, 1946, Eddie was a man who served his country, community, and his family his entire life. In 1964, Eddie enlisted in the USMC, and served until 1968 when he was honorably discharged. During his enlistment, he spent eighteen months in Vietnam. He then got his Bachelor’s degree in Urban Development from Georgia State in 1976 and served his community as a bank examiner and vice president of several banks. Eddie was serving as vice president of Community Trust Bank in Hiram when he retired. Eddie was a member of a few local churches through the years - including Northside Baptist Church in Dallas, Gospel Light Baptist Church in Lithia Springs, and Pine Valley Baptist Church in Hiram. He served the members of Northside Baptist for many years as a deacon. His life was truly one spent in service to others.

In his life, he was called by a few different names. He was called James, Eddie, or Ed. Yet his favorite, and the name he will forever be remembered by, is Papa. Papa doted upon his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He devoted his life to his family and always found a way to encourage and help them thrive. It became his life’s mission to help them succeed. He could be seen at ball games, school recitals, musical recitals (which he always paid for) graduations, and anything else that his family was involved in. He often traveled to the mountains or the beach with his wife and daughter and added a son-in-law and grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the trips later in life. Eddie had many hobbies like gardening, fishing, and buying and selling stocks. He often fished the streams and lakes of Michigan as he visited his extended family up north. He spent many hours fishing for salmon, trout, bass, and perch and was the architect of the “family fish fry” every year around his birthday.

Eddie enjoyed spending time outdoors and always talked of the beauty of God’s creation. The many trees he planted will be a constant reminder of his love of nature. Eddie planted fruit trees and produced beautiful rose bushes that come to life in the spring. Every year his gardens were always full of strawberries, tomatoes, “okrie”, corn, beans, and many other vegetables. Many hours were spent preparing, sowing, pruning, and harvesting, and that is what he was doing when God took him home. He is now experiencing gardens with no bugs or weeds!

A life of service is a well-lived life, and Eddie Haley lived life well.

Eddie was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dora Dean Gulledge and James E Haley, Sr., as well as his stepfather Dean Gulledge. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, Andrew James Fosmore, and nephew, Joshua Elvington. Eddie is survived by his wife Janice Haley; sister, Debbie Haley; daughter, Kimberly Fosmore (David); grandchildren, Emi Fosmore, Joseph Fosmore, Alexandria Llewellyn (Matt Rand); and great-grandchildren, McCartney Norris, Griffin Norris, Lucas Fosmore and Shepherd Rand.

The family will receive friends and loved ones at Clark Funeral Home and Chapel on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM. 

A Memorial Service for Mr. Eddie will begin at 1:00 PM at Clark Funeral Home and Chapel with Mr. David Fosmore and Reverend Nick Keller officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Operation Smile. 

Clark Funeral Home and Chapel is honored to care for the Haley family during this difficult time.