“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” II Timothy 4: 7 and 8
Reverend James “Jim” Lawrence Storie, 75, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, January 9, 2016. A beloved pillar of the Roan Mountain, Tenn., community, he passed away at the James H. Quillen Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn., following a courageous battle with complications from heart bypass surgery. Jim passed away on the same date as his mother, who passed away on January 9, 1987.
He was born on May 8, 1940 in Banner Elk, N.C., but had been a resident of Carter County for most of his life. He graduated from Cloudland High School, Roan Mountain, in 1959. Jim devoted eight years of service to his country with the United States Air Force from 1959-1967. During this time, he served two tours in Viet Nam. Following his military service, he attended and graduated from Clear Creek Baptist College, Pineville, Ky. He had been the devoted pastor of High Point Baptist Church in Roan Mountain for the past 42 years and had served the Roan Mountain community as a spiritual leader his entire adult life.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Edna Jones Storie; his father, Lawrence Leslie Storie; four brothers, Dennis Lawson Storie, Ronald Clarence Storie, Billy Ray Storie and infant brother, Edward Ree Storie; a sister, Dessa Mae Storie Harrison, and two infant sisters, Mabel Ruth and Laura Jean Storie; two brothers-in-law, Jess Stewart Potter and Paul Wesley Harrison; one sister-in-law, Doris Lee Wallace Storie; and one nephew, Paul Wesley Harrison Jr.
He is survived by his beloved and loyal friend, Kathy Elliott; two sons, Bryant Storie, Pineville, Ky., and wife Jeannie, and David Storie, Knoxville, Tenn.; one daughter, LeeAnn Storie Fugate and husband Chris, Corbin, Ky.; six grandchildren, Dustin, Benjamin and Autumn Fugate, all of Corbin, Ky., Brandon Fugate, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, and Sarah Elizabeth and Daniel Storie of Pineville, Ky.; and an honorary grandson, Mason Elliot of Roan Mountain. Additionally, he is survived by one brother, Leslie Lewis Storie and wife Kathie Freeman Storie, Jonesborough, Tenn.; three sisters, Frances Virginia Storie Potter and Dorothy Kate Storie Harrison and husband Glen, Roan Mountain, Tenn., and Norma Hart Storie Potter and husband Albert Eugene “Pete,” Terra Alta, W.Va.; a sister-in-law, Muerida “Rita” Sluder Storie; and numerous nieces and nephews. Other special friends and colleagues include the families of Beryl Norris, Ronnie, Gary and Tull Oaks Jr., Spence Campbell, Charles Harrison, Ronnie Jones, Wayne Shell, Danny Potter, Joe Williams, Jim Perkins, Richard Shepherd, Richard Stout, Jack Blackwell, Billie Jean Troutman, Floyd Storie, Jerry Storie, Johnny Range and all employees of Storie Roofing, all members of the High Point Baptist Church congregation, the Cloudland High School 1959 Graduating Class, and many others too numerous to mention. Jim Storie’s ministry touched so many lives, it is impossible to list them all.
Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, January 11, at the First Baptist Church of Roan Mountain. Officiating will be Michael Blair, Garrett Hicks, Richard Taylor and Reverend Tull Oaks Jr. Visitation will be between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m., with the service immediately following at the church. Music will be under the direction of Regina Oaks, with vocals by his niece, Denise Storie, and his great-niece, Lori Roark. The family will receive friends at the home at anytime. Interment will be conducted at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, January 12, at Mountain Home National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn. Interment services will be conducted by Reverend Tull Oaks Jr. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers include devoted friend, Brian Elliott, and the following beloved nephews: Brookie Lee Potter, Billy Ray Storie Jr., Robert Lee Harrison, Eric Marquette Potter, Kelvin Scott Potter, Jerome Daniel Storie and Matthew Edward Roark. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the VA Medical Center ICU staff for their valiant efforts on our brother’s behalf. Of particular significance were the efforts of Dr. O’Neil, the staff nephrologist, who used every means available to prolong Jim’s life. A very special word of thanks goes to Miss Kathy, for her loving care of our brother for the past 14 years. Additionally, the care and love exhibited over the years by his brother, Leslie, is a testament to the adage “my brother’s keeper.” In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, in honor of his granddaughter, Sarah Beth, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Tetrick Funeral Home, Rhododendron Chapel, Roan Mountain, is serving the Storie family. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917. Office: (423) 772-3928.