James V. Cartledge, 79, of Conyers passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013 at At Home Hospice in Conyers.  

Mr. Cartledge served six times as Commander of American legion Post # 77 in Conyers.  As Commander, he was instrumental in starting the recreational ball fields in Rockdale County by time leases with the American Legion.  

Mr. Cartledge was a Rockdale County Volunteer Fireman and honorary member of Rockdale County Sheriffs Office Reserves. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Georgia Bulldogs. Mr. Cartledge retired from American Freight Systems, Golden State Foods, and Ginn Motor Company.  

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Jeremy Keith Cartledge, parents, Joseph H. and Lola May (Chapman) Cartledge; and brother Groves Cartledge.  

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Juanita Cartledge of Conyers; children and their spouses, Frankie and Jack King of Lilburn, Jimmy and Susan Cartledge of Conyers, Tim and Tammy Cartledge of Oxford, Elsie and Greg Lightfoot of Crown Point, IN; grandchildren, David King, Michael and Beth Cartledge, Jonathan and Amy Cartledge, Lisa and Zach Ward, Ryan Cartledge, Cody Mauldin, Erin and Nick Egnatz, Jessica Lightfoot; great-grandchildren, Jacob Harper, Ali Cartledge, Tristan Egnatz, Olivia Ward; sister, Blanche Andrews, Commerce; brothers, Willard Cartledge of Commerce, Paul Cartledge of Nicholson, GA;  as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Cartledge will be held at 2 P.M., Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, with Rev. Ken Stokes officiating.  Interment will follow in Green Meadow Memorial Gardens in Conyers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 2 – 4 P.M., and 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.  

Flowers are accepted or memorial donations may be made to Artists-in-Residence Program for Early Intervention at the Marcus Autism Center for Education,1920 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329.