Conyers, GA

James Bernard Cantey was born on January 4, 1952 in Clarendon County, Manning, South Carolina, to the union of the lateMrs. Ruth Williams Cantey and Mr. James Cantey, Sr. James was fondly known as “Butch" by family members and “Jimmy Jam” by his coworkers and friends. He and his sister Barbara Mack were raised in the family home and taught at an early age to love God, value family and work ethic.

He received his formal education in the Manning, South Carolina public school system. He graduated in 1970 from Manning Training High School. He also graduated from Denmark Technical College in Denmark, South Carolina with a degree in Engineering. Later, he relocated to South Florida, lived briefly with his aunt Plumey Thompson.

James joined Union Cypress AME Church at an early age. Years later he was affiliated with Ward Chapel AME Church in Hallandale, Florida and Zion AME Church in West Park, Florida. Prior to his passing, he renewed his membership with Union Cypress AME Church in 2021.

He always had a job! He worked over 28 years as a frontline Engineering Technician at Sensormatic Electronic Corp in Boca Raton, Florida. He worked 13 years with the GEO Group in Pompano Beach, Florida starting out as a Maintenance Supervisor and retiring as a Detention Officer, and 23 years for Home Depot in both Florida and Georgia.

While working at Sensormatic Electronic he met his future wife, Ruth Pinkney. Following several years of courtship, they had a lovely wedding at Greater Mount Pleasant AME Church in Hollywood, Florida. Their union was blessed with a son, Tremayne and a daughter, Rasheda.

He was a proud father and grandfather. God blessed him to welcome his grandson, Sergeant Tremayne Cantey, Jr. who is honorably serving in the United States Army and to see his grandson, Dashaun Davis, on television, playing football for Appalachian State University.

He enjoyed visits with his step-granddaughters Serenity and Milan Nelson and to get a huge smile from James, you only had to say his great grandson's name, Kali Cantey.

He always spoke softly, expressed kindness, and attended every family gathering/reunion. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Pittsburg Steelers. He leaves a legacy that is full of promises to be faithful, be blessed, be thankful, and be happy. With his family visiting him at his bedside, the angels came and ushered him into eternal life on September 27, 2021.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Ruth and James Cantey, Sr.; his grandparents: Rosa and Jetter Williams, Patty and Johnny Cantey, and brother-in-law Lee Ernest Mack. James is survived by his wife Ruth of 41 years; son, Tremayne Cantey, daughter, Rasheda Nelson (Daytron); 2 grandsons, Tremayne, Jr. (Jobrycea) and Dashaun; 2 step-granddaughters, Serenity and Milan; 1 great-grandson: Kali; 1 sister, Barbara J Mack; 3 aunts, Lillian Cantey, Clara David, Naomi Daney Fox (Horace); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him dearly.

Public viewing will be held from 1:00PM til 6:00PM Saturday, October 9, 2021at Hayes F. Samuels, Sr. Memorial Chapel, 114 N. Church Street, Manning, SC.

Funeral services/Repast were be held 11:00AM Sunday, October 10, 2021 at the Matrix Center, 4648 Kingstree Hwy., Manning, SC. Burial followed at Union Cypress AME Church Cemetery, 8247 Hwy 20, Manning, SC.

Hotel recommendations: Hampton Inn Manning, 2822 Paxville Hwy., Manning, SC and Surestay Hotel, 2816 Paxville Hwy., Manning, SC.

The family received friends from 4:00PM til 7:00PM beginning Friday, October 8, 2021 at the home of his sister, Barbara Mack, 2398 Bump Road, Manning, SC.