CENTRAL CITY – Earl Lloyd “Sonny” James, 86, husband of Becky Sue Anderson James, passed into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at his residence in Central City. Born in Martwick August 19, 1937, to the late Earl and Lucille James. Sonny went to Tar Hill Grade School and Drakesboro High School. He was a hard worker and held many jobs during his life. He worked at the IGA, ran Twilight Drive-In Theatre and Towne Cinema in Central City. He also was custodian at Muhlenberg North High School. He and His wife Becky owned Anderson’s Trailer Court for many years. Sonny felt a call into ministry after giving his life to the Lord and was licensed as a Lay Minister with the Church of God of Prophecy on December 31, 1980. He was fully licensed with the Church on April 20, 1981, and appointed to the McHenry Church of God of Prophecy as Pastor in July 1984. He was ordained as a Bishop with the church July 9, 1999. He served as Pastor in McHenry for over 20 years. He and Becky were married July 8, 1958, and had 3 daughters, Laura Ann, Donna and Dana. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Davis James and Lucille Roarke James Douglas; step-father, Elvis Douglas; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Loretta Anderson; his daughter, Laura Ann James; sisters and brothers-in-law, Matilda and Haymond Keeton, and Ramona and L.W. Gish; brothers-in-law, Floyd Kirtley and George Vaught; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Henry and Claudette Anderson; and sister-in-law, Alice Faye Anderson.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Becky Sue Anderson James; daughter and son-in-law Donna and Bruce Goodman, and daughter and son-in-law Dana and Michael Estep; grandchildren, Jake (Lyndsay) Goodman, Krista (Zachary) Knox, and Adam Estep; adopted granddaughter, Sierra Hall (Tyler Foley); great-granddaughter, Leia McKinley Knox; adopted great-grandchildren, River James Barnett and Tatum Rae Foley; a special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Pete and Donna Anderson, who are more like children to him, and their children and grandchildren who call him grand-paw, Jimmy (Becky) Anderson, Jesse (Tara) Anderson, and Loriann, Landon, and Gavin; sisters, Earlene Kirtley and Sheila Vaught; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bubby Anderson and Bobby (Marilyn) Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Monday, July 29, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City, with Bro. Bobby Lott officiating. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, July 28, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Anderson, Jesse Anderson, Jake Goodman, Adam Estep, Zachary Knox, Landon Anderson, and Gavin Anderson. The family would like to thank the Central City Fire Department and Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, and a special thank you to Donna Anderson and Michelle Vincent who took very special care of our husband and father. A special thank you to his nephew David Anderson and Tucker Funeral Home for their care of his Uncle Sonny. Expressions of sympathy make take the form of contributions to Central City Fire Department. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.tuckerfuneralhomes.com
