James H. "JJ" Pannell Sr.

James H.  "JJ" Pannell Sr., age 43, who departed this life (two days before his 44th birthday) on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 in the comforts of his home in Keystone, WV, was born in Welch, WV  into the very loving parentage of Julie Arlene Pannell-Hairston and James Howard Carter.  JJ lived in Keystone the greater part of his life.  He was a graduate of Mount View High School in Welch, where he was an outstanding member of the Basketball team. He loved his family dearly, and was a loyal friend. He enjoyed sports and was an avid fan of both the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Knicks.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Julie and James; one brother, Vincent Pannell; his maternal grandparents, David Lucky and Ruth Pannell-Herndon and paternal grandparents, Fletcher Sr. and Naomi Harris; uncle, Fletcher Harris Jr., and aunts:  Irene Barkley, Leara Smith, Pansy Miles and Sandra Cobb and best friend, Brian Lewis  JJ will be remembered for his kind, loving spirit and a uniqueness like no other. He leaves a life time of treasured memories to his sons, Jalen R. Cromwell and James H. Pannell Jr., his stepfather, Vernard (Sylvia) Smith of Princeton, WV; his sisters:  Kimberly Culbertson of Hemphill, WV, Vermisha and Vermish Smith of Columbus, OH, Michelle Smith-DeWitt of Winston-Salem, NC, Sherrie Smith of McDonough, GA, Tara Hairston-Glenn of Northfork, WV and special sister, Candace (Anthony) Stansbury of Tampa, FL; brother, Eric Rasmussen of Pulaski, VA; special aunt, Sandi Herndon of Virginia Beach, VA, and aunts, Carolyn Ellison and Maria Harris-Washington both of Cleveland, OH; special uncle, Eddie Hiett of MD and uncle, Michael Harris of Cleveland; the mothers of his sons, Michelle Cromwell of Charlotte, NC and Margaret (Brad) Keen and children, Roderick and Shawnta King of San Antonio, TX; several nephews and nieces; which includes:  Nicholas and Chauntel Culbertson and Chereign Kelsor and a host of cousins and friends; which includes, his best friends:  Marcus Ray, Torrell Hairston, Dave Canaday, Dana Canaday, Aaron Hood, Brandon Hickman Sr., Jerry Imes, William Lewis, Tony Anderson and Damien Jackson. Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Faith Center Church, 102 Federal Street, Bluefield, WV, with Bishop Fred Brown officiating.  Entombment at 11:00 a.m., on Sunday, November 24, 2019 at Restlawn Mausoleum, 6605 New Hope Road in Bluewell, WV.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday at the Church.  JJ's best friends will serve as both active and honorary pallbearers.  Services entrusted to Gregory-Page  Funeral Home in Welch.  (to leave online condolences:  www.gregory-pagefh.com)      

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