James Robert Pulliam

Mr. James Robert Pulliam, 92, of Winterville, died Friday, Dec. 21, at his home, surrounded by loved ones.
Mr. Pulliam was born June 21, 1920, in Stephens County. He was the youngest child of John Robert Pulliam and Mary Evelia McEwen Pulliam. He was a graduate of Winterville High School where he played on his high school basketball team. He briefly attended the University of Georgia. As a young man he operated a dairy and grew zoysia grass commercially before beginning a 33-year career with Georgia Power as a meter reader. He grew his own vegetables for most of his life and over time developed a cantaloupe that was noted for its soft texture.
He was a life deacon at Winterville First Baptist Church where for more than 40 years he was the Sunday school secretary.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 44 years, Annie Ruth Pulliam, and by his son, James Larry Pulliam.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Glendia Pulliam; daughter Jan Giles (Blake) of Athens; daughter-in-law Gloria Pulliam of Washington; stepchildren Darvin Branch of Comer and Carla Branch of Winterville; and 12 grandchildren, Scott Pulliam of Comer, Todd Pulliam (Amy) of Winterville, Beth Ramspeck (Alan) of Cumming, Mark Pulliam (Christy) of Colbert, Paul Pulliam (Tammy) of Eatonton, James S. Pulliam (Jessica) of Grovetown, John Giles (Lisa) of Lawrenceville, Laura Garrett (Josh) of Mt. Airy, Emily Rupard (Jonathan) of Athens, and Brett Branch, Russell Branch and Rachel Branch, all of Comer; 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Scott, Todd, Mark Paul and James S. Pulliam, and John Giles. Honorary pallbearers are Ricky Scarborough, Nathan Pulliam, Morris Pulliam, Ralph Pulliam Jr., Claude Pulliam and Kenneth Shealy.
Services will be held Sunday, Dec. 23, 2 p.m. at Winterville First Baptist Church. There will be an open-casket viewing at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Winterville Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lord and Stephens East. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mr. Pulliam may be directed toward Winterville First Baptist Church.