James Reece Looney

86 old James Reece Looney died Sunday at NHC of Smithville. He was Superintendent of East Tennessee Bridge Builders and a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II. He was on the USS Solomons Aircraft Carrier Ship CVE67. Looney was a Seaman 1st Class. He was also a member of the Johnson Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Johnson Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. Gary Farris will officiate and burial will be in the Johnson Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the funeral home. Looney was preceded in death by his parents, James Houston and Callie Armenda Jackson Looney; six sisters, Edith Cantrell, Mary Lou Robinson, Sally Cantrell, Auda Mae Maynard, Pauline Billings, and Willie Dimple Maynard. Looney is survived by his wife of 63 years, Polly Collins Looney of Sparta. Five children, Lana Paulette Green of Dalton, Georgia; James Randall and wife Sherry Looney of Knoxville; Denise Barlow of Cookeville; Claudia Michelle Maynard of Sparta; and Armenta and husband Jerry Pollard of Smithville. Five grandchildren, Amanda Phillips of Dalton, Georgia; Michael Randall Looney of Knoxville, Kyle Matthew and wife Saraya Anderson of Sparta, Alex Reece Pollard of Smithville,and Hope Marie Maynard of Sparta. Three great grandchildren, Mackenzie Reece Phillips, Madison Danielle Phillips, and Mia Callie Phillips. One brother and sister-in-law, Wilburn H. and Geneva Looney of Sparta. One sister, Mrs. Fletcher Griffin of Smithville. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.