James Edward Nicely, age 66, of 1527 S. Howard Street in Covington, Virginia, passed away on March 13, 2014 at the Lutheran Medical Center, Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

He was born February 5, 1948 in Covington to the late Sidney Jackson and Edna Newell Nicely.

James served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

He spent most of his life as a factory worker and was a retired fork lift operator for Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire in Ft. Wayne, IN.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Reta Gay Nicely, and a brother, Charles Lewis Nicely.

He is survived by two sons, Timothy Wayne Nicely of Jared, Sidney Leslie Nicely and wife, Heather of VanWert, OH; a daughter, Carrie Virginia Hunt and husband, Richard of Hicksville, OH; three sisters, Nancy Carol Via and husband, Ed of Buena Vista, Betty Lou Harless and husband, Steve of Millersport, OH, and Nettie Sue Tucker and husband ,Wilbur of Hot Springs; and a brother, Sidney Allen Nicely of Clifton Forge.

A funeral service was held on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in Calvary Baptist Church, Covington with Reverend Dean Bowser officiating. Interment followed in Hylton Family Cemetery in Sweet Springs, VA.

The family received friends Sunday at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.

Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge handled the arrangements.