James Louis Vail Sr. departed this life Monday, December 29, 2025, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross, after a sudden illness. His family was by his side.
He was born August 27, 1950, to the late Freddie Lee Vail Sr. and the late Ruthie Mae Cobbs-Vail.
He worked almost 40 years as a heavy equipment operator with Larry Hill Landscaping. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards and spending time with family.
He was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth Jenkins and one daughter, Tonga Madison; his father, Freddie Lee Vail Sr.; his mother, Ruthie Mae Cobbs-Vail and his siblings: Kayosbine, Freddie Jr., Elester Vail, Jerome Vail and Hosea Vail.
He leaves to cherish his memories, a devoted wife of 51 years and 7 months, Mary Vail, Patterson; four children: Eldren (Nakisha) Jenkins, Lawanda Jones, James (Laparris) Vail Jr. and Sayward Vail; 12 grandchildren: Tommie Miller Jr., Eureka (Darius) Bowen-Lindley, Laparris Jones, Kenneth Jenkins, Gabion (Jessye) Copeland, Morris Madison, Jamontae Vail, Dezmon (Kristian) Hardy, Cheslea Madison, Nechyna Baker, Sha'dana and Shavez Warren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Lindsay (Catherine) Vail and John (Ellen) Vail; one sister, Patricia (Samuel) Walthour; two aunts: Helen Vail Williams and Elizabeth Kelly; four sisters-in-law: Wanda (Johnnie) Scott, Minister Vandella Harris, Omega Jenkins and Minnie McBride; five brothers-in-law: Frank (Frankie) Jenkins, Larry Jenkins, Lovie (Ticaria) Jenkins, Michael (Dorthy) Jenkins, Jackie (Ruby) Jenkins and John D. Myles; one goddaughter, Briana Jernigan and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends who will miss him deeply.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at the funeral home.
Services to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, from the Evergreen Church near Bristol.
Harrington Family Funeral Services of Waycross is in charge of arrangements.
