| Sources |
- [S119] Highland Memorial Parks, Funerals and Cremations, http://www.highlandmemorialparks.com, 30 Jan 2010.
Mrs. Ruth White Maples obituary
- [S112] Census, 1920.
Name: James Maples
Residence: , Bradley, Tennessee
Estimated Birth Year: 1912
Age: 8
Birthplace: Tennessee
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Gender: Male
Race: White
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Film Number: 1821729
Digital Folder Number: 4390801
Image Number: 00241
Sheet Number: 14
Household Gender Age
Parent Nathanal R Maples M 59y
Parent Louisa Maples F 26y
James Maples M 8y
John C Maples M 6y
Marshal T Maples M 5y
Clyde Maples M 3y6m
Lillie Maples F 2y9m
- [S26] Berry Funeral Home, (www.berryfuneralhome.com), 26 Mar 2011.
Maples, James Purman (J.P) (Perm) – Beloved father, papaw, uncle, family patriarch, friend and mentor. Age 99, passed away at his home in south Knoxville, Saturday, March 26, 2011. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Gladys Green Maples; his parents, NR and Ida Maples; brothers Marshall (Tip), Paul (Tom), Albert (Demp), Clyde, Cliff; sisters Hattie McCollum, Alice Julian, Lillie Campbell and infant sister Flora. He is greatly missed by his surviving family: children: Kaye Cooper (Carlton) of Marshall, VA, Joy Moore (Jon) of Chuckey, TN, Dianne Forry (Gary) of Knoxville and Ron Maples (Susan) of Knoxville; 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; sister, Ruth Pierce, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
J.P. was truly a self - made man. He only had a 9th grade education, but he was very smart. He started with nothing and built a thriving business as a general contractor and sheet metal contractor. He bought his shop, J.P Maples Sheet Metal Works, at 830 West Cumberland Avenue in 1940. He worked at Oak Ridge during the war. He began building houses one at a time and lived in them until he could sell them. In 1948, he moved to his current home. He built over 40 homes mostly in south and west Knoxville, many of them custom homes for individual owners. He ran his business from his shop until he was forced to move to 6308 Chapman Highway in 1980 by the World's Fair. In the 70's and 80's, he specialized in commercial heating and air duct work and roofing metals. He was proudest of his part in building and remodeling several churches in the area. He retired at age 76.
He was a member of Valley Grove Baptist Church for 88 years. He was baptized in the creek just down the road from the church in November 1922. He served his church as deacon, Sunday school teacher, trustee, and was the general contractor for the current sanctuary and Creed McCoy education building. When he could no longer serve in usual ways, he memorized phone numbers and regularly called his class members, church friends and family members.
In the community in the 50's and 60's, he sponsored youth baseball teams in the Babe Ruth and Connie Mack leagues at Rock City ballpark.
His special hobbies were gardening and beekeeping through which he enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labors with his family and friends. Many hundreds of people have shared a meal at his table, enjoyed the fruits of his garden or swam in his pool.
The family wishes to thank his doctors, nurses and caregivers who allowed him to remain at his home during his last days.
A celebration of his life will be held at Valley Grove Saturday, April 2, 2011. The receiving of friends will be from 10 a.m. – 12 noon with the service beginning at noon; Dr. William Sims officiating. Interment will be at Highland South immediately following the service. Pallbearers will be grandchildren and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Valley Grove Baptist Church building fund, the J.P. and Gladys Maples Scholarship Endowment, University of Tennessee, or the Gay Harris Scholarship Endowment, Carson Newman College.
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Abt 1912 - 2011 (~ 99 years)
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