Funeral services for James Vail, age 89 of Ruston, LA, will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 4, 2021 at North Hodge Assembly of God Church in North Hodge, LA with Rev. Geary Phillips and Rev. Elton Gunter officiating.  Burial will follow in the Jonesboro Cemetery in Jonesboro, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

James N. "Cotton" Vail, our husband, dad, grandfather, and great grandfather was born on November 19, 1932, on family land east of Driskill Mountain, just south of Arcadia LA, and went to his "New Home" with the Lord on Dec. 1, 2021, at the Arbor Assisted Living Home in Ruston. He grew up in Arcadia and Hodge LA and attended Jonesboro-Hodge High School.

James and Charlene were married in 1953 and lived in Jonesboro for most of their lives, where they raised their three children. James was employed at the Hodge Service Station until he got the opportunity to move to a better job at the Continental Can paper mill in Hodge.  He worked in many jobs at the mill for over 30 years until he retired in 1994.  Every job he ever had was performed very well... it was his trademark. He was so respected for his work ethic and fairness that his co-workers elected him Union President... a job that he held for many years.  The management team at the paper mill also respected him and knew that their dealings with him would be tough but fair. He had a good sense of what was good for both the workers and the company.

Our Dad joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 1949, where he quickly rose in rank and assumed the duties of the company mess sergeant... a job he held for most of the 21 years that he was in the Jonesboro La Guard Unit. He was a great soldier who took his military responsibilities very seriously, and performed any assignment given with near perfection. He served in disaster relief, tornado relief, and was chosen to be an armed military guard at the inauguration of Governor John McKeithen in 1964.  He retired in 1992 at the rank of Staff Sergeant with full military privileges.

He held all the jobs above, and was all of the things above, but he would tell you that his "most important" job was that of being a Servant of God!! When he accepted Christ as his Savior, he became a "New Man"... it changed his life forever.  Dad purposed to live a life before his family, his co-workers, his friends, and everyone with whom he came in contact, in such a way that they would see Christ in him.  We as a family, believe that he has done that job well.

He was preceded in death by his parents Claude and Polly Vail, daughter, Suzanne Vail, and three sisters, Ann Wigley, Bonnie Ayres, and Jean Abercrombie, and great-granddaughter Brianna Newman.

He is survived by his wife Charlene and two sons, Ronnie Vail (Martha) of Ruston, and Jimmy Vail (Janice) of Winnfield, sister Carolyn Carr (Larry), grandchildren, Matt Vail (Teri) of Quitman, Jana Myatt (Heath) of Magnolia TX, and Lance Ledford (Amanda) of Jonesboro.   He is also survived by 9 great grandchildren, Paige, Cami, Scotty, Chance, Hollin, Cambrie, Jacie, Leelee and Kara, and 9 nieces and nephews, who all loved their "Paw" and "Uncle James".

James and Charlene are members of the Hodge Assembly of God Church where visitation will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9:30 to 11AM.  The service will follow at 11 AM.   The service will be officiated by Rev. Geary Phillips and Rev. Elton Gunter.  Interment will follow at the Jonesboro Cemetery, all under the direction of Owens Memorial Funeral Home of Ruston.

Pallbearers will be Matt Vail, Chance Vail, Lance Ledford, Heath Myatt, Alton Smith and David Brown.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in James' name to the Hodge Assembly of God Church in Hodge.

The family would like to express its appreciation to The Arbor and Terrace of Ruston, Ms. Muriel Ryder and the entire staff there, who have cared for, attended to, and loved our Dad for the last 5 years.  We also extend our most sincere thanks to Premiere Hospice for their loving care for him in his final days, especially Melissa Maddox, R.N., Stephanie Diffey, R.N., CNA's, Jackie and Muffin, and Chaplain, Edith Hill.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until service time Saturday at the church.