James Edward (Jimmy) Persinger, Sr., age 80, of 1229 Jefferson Ave, Clifton Forge, VA, died Monday, October 3, 2011 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

He was born October 11, 1930 in Clifton Forge, Virginia, to William Grover Persinger and Lorene Smith Persinger.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War, and retired from the City of Clifton Forge Public Works Department.

He attended Central Advent Christian Church and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and making people laugh.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by first wife, Ona Patterson Persinger in April 1992; a son, James E. Persinger, Jr.; brother, W. G. Persinger; and sister, Margaret Syfrett.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis L. Myra Woodard Persinger of Clifton Forge; three daughters, Lori Nelson and husband, Donald of Wilmington, NC, Francelia Cox and husband, Shane of Clifton Forge, and Carla Coleman and husband, Jessie of Clifton Forge; a son, Monroe William Persinger of Clifton Forge; two step children, Robert James Bell, Sr. and Becky Lynn Bell, both of Florida; two sisters, Phyllis Grimm and husband, Buck of Clifton Forge, and Hortense Putnam of Clifton Forge; eight grandchildren; six step grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was conducted on Friday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Gene Peters officiating. Interment followed in Central Advent Christian Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers were John Wood, Billy Patterson, Dennie Nelson, Ronnie Angle, Johnny Angle, Shane Cox, David Patterson, Donnie Nelson, Marshall Persinger, and Jesse Patterson. The family received friends on Thursday at Nicely Funeral Home.

Arrangements were handled by Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.