James Phares Neilson, 62, of Jemison died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005.

He worked as a salesman for most of his life and was a Mason for more than 25 years. He loved to work with his hands and help people. He was a positive individual with a sunny disposition who never met a stranger, the perfect husband and father. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carolyn Beech Neilson; two sons, Russell Phares (Sonya) Neilson of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Richard Phares (Alisha) Neilson of Birmingham; three grandchildren, Benjamin, Caitlin and Zackary Neilson; and a brother, Charles Sanders (Betty) Neilson Jr. of Tupelo, Miss.

Service was Dec. 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home Chapel, the Rev. David Wallace presiding. Burial followed in Jefferson Memorial Gardens South, Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home directing.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Lung Association