Jim Ben Bickers
April 26, 1923 — July 15, 2009
JB Bickers (PaPa), 86, of Durham, NC (formally Carrollton, Kentucky) died on Wednesday afternoon, July 15, 2009 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham, NC. He was born on April 26, 1923 in Carrollton, Ky, the son of the late Thomas & Lillian Bickers. He was a retired farmer and Sales Supervisor with the Carrollton Tobacco Market for 30+ years. He was also involved with several agricultural agencies in Carroll County.He served his country proudly as a US Marine in WWII and received a purple heart during a battle in Saipan. After returning to Carrollton, he married the love of his life, Velma Irene. They celebrated 62 years of happiness together. He would tell anyone who would listen that he was married for 62 years and he thought she sort of liked him. They had one son, Steven Wayne. PaPa loved to tell everyone he met that he may have only had one son, but he ended up with a large, loving family. It was with this family that he decided to spend the last two years of his life with by moving to Durham. He is survived by his wife, Velma Irene, of Durham, NC, one son, Steven Wayne (Lynne), three grandchildren, Cristi Nunn (Anthony), Chad Bickers (Wendi) all of Durham, NC, and Shane Easter (Liz) of Leland, NC. He also has six greatchildren that he was extremely proud of. They are Patrick Nunn, Zachary Nunn, Casie Bickers, Carlie Bickers and Chloe Bickers all of Durham, NC and Gray Easter of Leland, NC. He is also survived by his two"Girls", Callie and Cadie. They are two dogs that provided him with lots of comfort and love. In addition to his parents, PaPa was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lisa Ann Bickers.Funeral services were held at 11:00AM, Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at the Tandy-Eckler-Riley Funeral Home. Burial was in the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Carrollton, Kentucky.Pallbearers were David Rowlett, Sam Scott, Rick Turner, Mike Benton, Patrick Nunn and Zachary Nunn. Honorary pallbearers are J.C. Banks, Carol Hackett and Theoda Franklin.The Tandy-Eckler-Riley Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Visitation
5:00 - 8:00 P.M. - Monday - July 20, 2009 at the Tandy-Eckler-Riley Funeral Home.
Funeral
11:00 A.M. - Tuesday - July 21, 2009 at the Tandy-Eckler-Riley Funeral Home.
Interment
I.O.O.F. Cemetery - Carrollton, KY.