Mr. James Walter Mehaffey, 81 of Grant, the world’s greatest crappie fisherman, passed away at his home on Monday, December 6, 2021. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at Grant Memorial Chapel with burial following in Haney’s Chapel Cemetery.
James, better known as J.W. or Papa, was born on Wednesday, February 28, 1940 in Maryville, Tennessee. J.W. served his country in the United States Army as a pistol and rifle marksman and 1st Class gunner.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Mehaffey; children, Joy Rhodes, Stacey (Frances) Young, Krista (Rick) Martin, Denise Garner, Donna (Phillip) Mehaffey, Whitney (Carlos) Goins; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Almedia Goodman; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Irene Mehaffey; son, Eddie Young; brothers, Jack Mehaffey, Johnny Mehaffey; sister, Helen Maynard