James Earl Haney, 81, of Athens, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at Athens Regional Medical Center.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Joseph Martin and Amanda MelDora Curtis Haney, and was preceded in death by two sisters, Althea Ray Haney Everett and Ermal Sue Haney McCall; and one grandson, James Eric Benson. He was a member of McMahan Calvary Baptist Church, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army and Merchant Marines, having served in the Korean Conflict. He was a former employee of Beaunit, Plastic Industries and Steel City, and was with Shell Gas Station and Pure Oil Company. He also drove for SETHRA.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Jo Carver Haney of Athens; one son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Allan and Debbie Haney of Athens; two daughters, Earlann Haney McDonald of Ellicott City, Md., and Ebra Lorraine Haney Benson of Athens; two sisters, Lillie Mae Haney Barnett and Mary Ruth Haney Isbill, both of Athens; four grandchildren and spouses, Luke and Camille Benson, Brian and Laura McDonald, Jennifer and Chris Partain and Amanda and Randy Liner; seven great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Grace Benson, Alice, Jake and Benson Partain, Bailey and Jaret Liner; his loyal pet dog, Jac; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Bob Thomas and the Rev. Randall Bates officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday in McMinn Memory Gardens with military honors

Active pallbearers will be grandsons and Dan Scruggs and Ben Rountree. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men\'s Sunday School Class of McMahan Calvary Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Deaf Ministries, c/o Rev. Chris Partain, 1707 Rogers St., Athens, Tenn. 37303.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Those not able to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com