SFC James Leroy “John” Seward, 81, of Graham, passed away on December 25, at his home. “John”, as he was known, was born on December 14, 1931 to Mrs. Anna Bell Seward and the late, Leroy Roosevelt Seward. He joined Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church at an early age and was educated in the Jeff Davis County and graduated from Baxley Training School in Baxley. After completing high school, John served his country proudly for 23 years in the United States Army. After retiring from the Army he worked for the City of Lawton, Oklahoma, where he retired after 12 years of service.
John resided most of his life in Lawton, Oklahoma and three years ago he moved back home to Graham, to be closer to his family. He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Roosevelt Seward, his son, James Love, both of his wives, Lillie Bess Seward and Doris Seward; a brother, Robert Seward and a sister, Nellie Seward.
John leaves to cherish his memories: two sons: James “Jimmy” Seward, Atlanta, and Dewayne “Peaches” Seward, Graham; his loving mother, Anna Seward, Atlanta; seven sisters: Jacqueline (Thomas O.) Thomas, Darien, Lynette (Tommy) King, Graham, Annette Seward, Nashville, Tenn., Ella (Robert) Studevent, Washington, DC, Dorothy Hayes, Graham, Etta (Dewayne) Kemp, Clinton, Md., Shirley (Lennis) Johnson, Hazlehurst; three brothers: Glenn and Richard Seward, both of Miami, Fl. and Edwin Roosevelt Seward, Antioch, Tenn.; a step daughter, Sandy McManemy, Sebring, Fl.; three daughter in-laws: Marilyn Love, Vidalia, Jeanette Seward, Houston, Tx. and Lisa Seward, Atlanta; special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Brenner, Lawton, Oklahoma ; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends.
There was not a wake/visitation. Remains laid in state two hours prior to funeral services.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 29, at 3:00 p.m. at Bennett Tabernacle Holiness Church, Interment in Morgan Chapel Cemetery.
Final Arrangements were entrusted to Royal Funeral Home, Jesup.
Shirley Adams
Lawton ok