James Earl Lewellen

James Earl Lewellen, affectionately known as “Earl” to his family in South Carolina and “Jim” to his friends in Mississippi, passed away on September 8, 2026, at the age of 90. He was born June 29, 1936, to the late George H. Lewellen and Ora Arnette Lewellen.

Earl lived a life marked by devoted service to his country, hard work, and an unwavering love for his family. He proudly served in the United States Air Force, including two deployments to Vietnam. His years in the military remained one of the greatest sources of pride throughout his life. Even long after his service had ended, Earl loved returning to the Air Force base, where he enjoyed visiting with current Airmen, sharing stories, and reminiscing about his own years of service.

After his military career, Earl made his home in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where most knew him as Jim. A skilled tradesman and businessman, he owned and operated an electrical and plumbing business.

Later in life, Earl shared a loving and devoted marriage with Nellie Jeanette Lewellen, who affectionately called him “Honey Bun.” Jeanette cared for Earl with great devotion, and they enjoyed spending time together visiting the Air Force base, traveling to Calabash, North Carolina, and going on their Subway dates.

While Mississippi became his home, Earl never forgot his South Carolina roots or the family he left behind there. His nieces and nephews especially looked forward to the times when “Uncle Earl” would come home for a visit. Distance never kept him from making sure they knew they were remembered and loved, and birthdays rarely passed without a card from Uncle Earl and Aunt Jeanette.

Earl took great pride in his yard and loved planting and tending his garden, but nothing could quite compare to the peaches from McBee, South Carolina. In his later years, he took up playing the guitar and enjoyed singing and playing while spending time swinging outside.

He loved baseball and remained a faithful Atlanta Braves fan, win or lose.

In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his first wife, Beulah Marie Lewellen; his brothers, Wallie Lewellen and Reverend Gene Lewellen; his sister, Marian “Mickie” Singleton; and his sister-in-law, Sandra Austin, wife of his late brother Gene.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nellie Lewellen; his sister, JoAnn Wishart (Frank) of Lumberton, NC; a special sister-in-law, Barbara “Brenda” Lewellen of Land O’ Lakes, FL; and generations of beloved nieces and nephews, including great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Earl will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. To those who knew him in Mississippi, he was Jim; to his family in South Carolina, he would always be Uncle Earl.

Services are to be determined at this time. Please check back for service details.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of James Earl Lewellen.