James Balford Beasley

James Balford Beasley, 92, a resident of Alexander City, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 28th, 2025, at Bill Nichols State Veterans Home. Funeral services for Balford will be held at 2 PM on Friday, May 2nd, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Pastor Alicia Cargill Chalker officiating. He will then be laid to rest beside his beloved wife in Old Providence Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing.

Balford proudly served his country with the United States Navy as an aircraft technician. After his honorable discharge, Balford joined AmeriCold Logistics in the cold storage and refrigeration industry where he continued to work seven days a week for close to 40 years before finally retiring. Obviously, Balford had a work ethic that was second to none, but it was also a refuge for him after losing both of his children in 1981. When he wasn't at work, you could most likely find him wherever his buddies were having a good time! He was always happy to be the center of attention and entertain everyone with his stories and good humor.

They don't come more charming than the men of the Beasley family, and Balford was definitely cut from the same cloth. It's no wonder he was always popular everywhere he went, especially with the ladies even into his 90s! He also enjoyed the time he spent with his fellow veterans at the Wetumpka VFW Post 4572 where he was the oldest member and held court every time he visited. Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and "Paw Paw" to the apple of his eye, his cherished granddaughter Jessica and her family. Words cannot express how much they all loved him nor how much he will be sorely missed after a lifetime of memories built together.

Balford was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lucy Free Beasley; their children, Glenda Fulmer and Mark Beasley; and companion, Linda Price. He is survived by his granddaughter, Jessica Beasley; great-grandson, Jasper Carroll (Hayley Ledbetter); a great-great-granddaughter, Adaline Grace, on the way; daughter-in-law, Sue Ann (JD) Davis; sister, Betty Elliott; and family friends, Robin Shields and her family.

Active pallbearers will be Jasper Carroll, Michael Petty, Monty Prickett, Taylor Petty, Chris Guy, and Mickey Styron.