Blue Ridge Funeral & Cremation Service        7626 Highway 213      Mars Hill, NC 28754     Phone: (828) 680-9963      Fax: (828) 680-9965      Email: brfs@blueridgefuneralservice.org


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Obituary for James Willard "Bud" Briggs

James Willard "Bud"  Briggs
James W. “Bud” Briggs, 89, of Marshall went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 9, 2014. Born in Madison County on April 22, 1925, he was the son of the late J.Frank and Mabel Deal Briggs. James was a proud WWII Veteran, serving in the U.S. Army in the Mighty 4th Division, fighting in the hedgerows of Normandy. James ended his military service as a highly decorated staff sergeant. His decorations included: the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the European Theater of Operation Ribbon with one silver star, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Normandy Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters, having been wounded three times. After coming home from the war, James wore many hats to include - farmer, rock mason, baker, and plumber. He also loved to mow, which he continued to do up until a few months before his death. James was a faithful member of Mt.Sheba Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. His church and his church family were a very important part of his life. In addition to his father and mother he was preceded in death by three brothers, Clyde, Homer, and Harry Briggs; and two sisters, Lois Smith and husband Frank, and Ann Fecht and husband Tony. Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Maxine Humphrey Briggs; children, Pam Gosnell and husband Bruce of Greeneville, TN, Deborah Buckner and husband Ronnie, Marla Gouge and husband Donnie, and James L. Briggs all of Marshall; grandchildren, Stephanie and Regena Gosnell, Leslie Greenier and husband Robert, Brian Buckner and wife Shelley, Amy Cody and husband Ryan, Brandon Buckner and wife Cassandra, Tyler Gouge and wife Tabitha, and Jessica Griffey; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Christine Motz and husband Will, Betty Rigsby and husband Kenneth; a brother, Harvey Briggs and wife Alma; sister-in-law, Jane Briggs; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, October 11th, 2014 at Mt.Sheba Baptist Church with the Reverends Steve Rhinehart, James Briggs, and Brian Buckner officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM prior to the service. Interment will follow at Tillery Cemetery in Marshall with Military Honors by NC National Guard Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to Mt.Sheba Christian Academy, c/o Mt.Sheba Baptist Church, 870 New Stock Rd. Weaverville, NC 28787; Tillery Cemetery Fund, c/o Long Branch Baptist Church, 1394 Long Branch Rd. Marshall, NC 28753; and Gideons International, Madison County Camp, PO Box 1182, Marshall, NC 28753.

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