James "Buddy" M. Linville

James M. “Buddy” Linville, 80, of Cleveland, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2019 at Tennova Healthcare. This will be his biggest trip ever!

A “go-bag” was always in Buddy’s closet. He loved to travel. Anywhere. Anytime. He loved old cars, NASCAR, fishing and hunting.

Buddy graduated with a master’s degree from Tennessee Wesleyan while employed with Bradley County School System. During his career, he served as teacher, principal, and Transportation & Safety Director. He was also a proud veteran who held a pilot’s license and served as a helicopter mechanic in the United States Army. Buddy was a faithful member of the Spring Place Road Church of God of Prophecy where he served as a deacon for many years. Church and community were important to him and he served them well.

Family, heritage, and friendship was very important to Buddy. He would have loved for us to list you all by name. Know that if you were related to Buddy, he loved you deeply. Know that if he called you friend, then he loved you like family!

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Kendrick and Cleo Linville; an infant brother Charles Anthony; and two sisters and their spouses: Shirley and Robert Mitchell; Cosetta and Creed Stephens; and a special niece, Lisa Mitchell Ledford.

Buddy married Marie Smith on September 14, 1964. During their 55 years together, Buddy and Marie’s family has grown: three daughters and two sons-in-law: Dawn Linville, Cleveland; Renee & Victor Rodriguez, Cleveland; Regina & Randy Lawson, Sweetwater;  eight grandchildren (& spouses): Lauren Gardner, Lindsey & Brendan Smith, Lacey & Brett Watson; Nick & Marie Rodriguez, Adam Rodriguez, Ben Rodriguez; Emily Lawson, Evan Lawson; four great-grandchildren: Ethan Scoggins, Alana Scoggins, Emma Gardner, Ava Gardner; and soon-coming great-granddaughter Watson.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Spring Place Road Church of God of Prophecy. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at the church prior to the service.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Linville family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.