Obituary of James Thomas Windsor, 1938, St. Clair Co. AL

http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/stclair/obits/c6160001.txt
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This file was contributed and copyrighted by:
Amy Windsor
<jwindsor@getus.com>
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February 2000


MR. J. T. WINDSOR

By Edmund Blair

Funeral services were held last Sunday for James Thomas "Uncle Tom" Windsor, 
pioneer St. Clair citizen who passed away Thursday, February 17.

Although Uncle Tom had been in bad health for several years, he had kept at his 
job at Avondale Mills until less than ten days prior to his death.  The end came 
peacefully about 11 p. m. last Thursday night. 

Mr. Windsor would have been 75 years old had he lived until April 29.  He was a 
native of Shelby County, but came to St. Clair in early life.  He had been an 
employee of the Avondale Mills here for 34 years, working as a time-keeper in 
the Weaving Department.  He is survived by his wife, 9 children, 19 
grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 3 step- children.  He was the father 
of 16 children, seven having preceded him in death.
   
First plans were for the funeral services to be held at the Arbor Baptist 
Church, but so many of his friends indicated a desire to attend his last 
services that the auditorium at the Avondale Mills was used. More than 1,200 
paid their last tribute with their presence and a mountainous floral offering.  
Rev. J. C. Willcutt, Pastor at Tarrant, and Rev. J. A. Williams, Pastor of the 
local Arbor Baptist Church conducted the funeral services.  Joe Kilgrow, of 
Kilgrow and Williams, was in charge. "Uncle Tom's" remains were laid to rest at 
Mt. Carmel Cemetery,  The pall bearers were J.C. Meehan, Oscar Davis, Johnnie 
Williams, I. Z.  Patterson, Johnnie Meehan, and Edmund Blair.

During his lifetime "Uncle Tom" had run the gamut of all human emotions.  His 
father was killed in battle, he had seen his native country overrun by a 
conquering army, two wives and seven children died during his lifetime.  He had 
followed various lines of endeavor making a living for his large family.  Miner, 
mail carrier, politician, teacher, preacher, railroader, blacksmith, machinist, 
and at last, for 34 years of his more than three score and ten years, he had 
been a valued employee of the Avondale Mills here.  Trusting in a kind 
providence who had in his promises told of a better home, "Uncle Tom" was ready 
to find a better world.  His sundown came when the trees were beginning to 
blossom, and when songbirds were telling of the coming of spring.  Springtime 
that he loved so well.


The obit said that he was born on April 29 and would have been 75 years old if 
he had lived that long.  We think that he was born in 1863/1864 and that would 
have made the year 1938/1939.  If I could go out to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery and 
look on the tombstone, then perhaps I could give you a definite year.  Sometime, 
I hope to be able to do that. - Amy Windsor

I talked to an older relative in Pell City who says that he was born in Shelby 
County, AL in 1863 and died in 1938.  I hope this helps! - Amy Windsor