James Valford Rushing, 73, of Millport, AL, passed away on September 17, 2021, in Columbus, MS. Funeral services will be Monday, September 20, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Dowdle Funeral Home in Millport, AL with Bro. Raymond Spann officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior in the chapel. Burial will follow at Meadow Branch Cemetery in Kennedy, AL.

He loved his family, he was a wonderful father, husband, relative and a great friend to so many. He worked in forestry his whole life and he spent most of his career cruising timber. He also took part in land management with a multitude of many other job responsibilities pertaining to his career in forestry. He also managed logging crews. He loved bird hunting and occasionally deer hunting. He loved gospel music and he had a beautiful voice. He enjoyed gardening and canning, supplying his family and a few others quite often with what his garden produced. He was a big Alabama fan but he enjoyed watching almost any team play.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, James and Annie Rushing, and his wife Katy Rushing.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa Rushing, daughter Kristie Stokes (Danny), stepdaughter Ginger Jones (Jack), sisters Sheila McCloud (Charles), Kim Shackelford (Zane) and grandchildren Nathan Cole Jones, Jase Jones and Gabe Jones.

Pallbearers will be Charles McCloud, Avon Rushing, Keith Bryant, Zane Shackelford, Danny Stokes and Kenny Phelps.

The family has requested that everyone wears a mask.