James Loper

James Winfred Loper, 76, of Chatom entered into rest Sunday, December 7, 2014 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Springhill Baptist Church in Chatom. Interment will follow at Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Jim O'Neal will officiate.


Mr. Loper was a native and lifelong resident of the Chatom area and was a member of Springhill Baptist Church. Winfred was left paralyzed six years ago from the waist down from a stroke due to a long lengthy illness, Guillain-Barré syndrome. In April 2011 he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He has been trapped in this suffering and pain since May 26, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Willie Mae Mott Loper, two brothers, Jay Loper and Ben Loper, and his son, James Winfred Loper, Jr.


He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Charlotte Loper of Chatom, four children, Cathy Loper Richards (Jeffrey) of Austin, TX, Michelle Loper of Sherman, TX, Elisha Elms Coyle (Tommy) of Baton Rouge, LA, and Gary Todd Elms (Rosemary) of Saraland, AL, two sisters, Shirley Godwin (Burnell) and Ella Mae Lathan (Norman) all of Chatom, two brothers, Henry Loper, Jr. (Lois) of Daphne, AL, and Sam Loper (Adriane) of Chatom, two sisters-in-law, Betty Loper of Chatom and Itaska Loper of eight Mile, AL, eight grandchildren, Ryan Richards, Rachael Richards, Crystal Pinkstaff, Stephen Todd Elms, Elaina Elms, Charlotte Coyle, Evan Coyle, and Maggie Coyle, and four great-grandchildren.


Active pallbearers include, Stephen Elms, Ryan Richards, Evan Coyle, David Platt, Chip Bell, Kenneth Baxter, and Ray Lankford.


Honorary pallbearers include, Men's Sunday School Class of the church, Bobbie Jenkins, Annette Caten, Tabitha McDougle, and Christy Gibson.


The family will receive friends Thursday from 9:30 AM until the 11:00 am service hour at the church.


To leave online condolences please visit www.lathanfuneralhomechatom.com. Lathan Funeral Home, Jackson, directing.