James "Jim" Waddell Fitts

James (Jim) Waddell Fitts, age 93, passed away on March 11, 2020.

Funeral services for Mr. Fitts will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Wells Funeral Home, Batesville, MS, with visitation beginning at 1 pm. Interment will follow the service at Peach Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Jim was born on May 4, 1926 to the late Newton Jones Fitts and Fannie Bell Armes in Pleasant Grove, MS.

Jim was one of the last of his generation of WWII veterans, serving in Patton’s 67^th Armed Regiment as a tank crewman in the European theatre. He was wounded in 1945, and awarded the Victory Ribbon, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star. He was a successful businessman, entrepreneur, and active in national and state politics and the local community.

These events shaped his life but did not define it. Love defined his life. Love for Jesus, his family, his country, and even strangers. He generously shared his time, talents, money, and faith with all he met.

He leaves behind a large family and legacy: 5 children, Deborah Robinson (Bill) of Sardis, MS, Larry Fitts (Rena) of Stanton, TN, Dan Fitts (Leigh Ann) of Prairie Grove, AR, Walt Fitts (Angie) of Spring Hill, TN, and Paxton Fitts (Lacey) of Hernando, MS; 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He is now reunited with his wife of 69 years, Jeannie Sue Laughlin, 1 sister, 7 brothers, and 2 grandchildren that preceded him in death.

We will all miss Mr. Fitts (known to most as Mr. Jim or Papa), his smile, wisdom, and love, but rejoice knowing that he is walking with Jesus now.

In lieu of flowers, Jim wanted contributions made to Gideons International (gideons.org) or Peach Creek Baptist Church in Sardis, MS so that others would meet and love the Jesus that changed his life for eternity.