James Scotty Gillum Jr.

James Scotty Gillum Jr., age 71, of Earlington, and formerly of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away at 1:40 p.m. Saturday March 11, 2023 at his home. 

Born June 7, 1951 a native of Madisonville, he was the son of the late James Gillum and Virginia Scisney. 

He was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Hecla, of Earlington, where he served as chairman of the trustees, treasurer of the brotherhood, and member of the male chorus. While in Indianapolis he was a member of Eastern Star Church where he served in the men of purpose and parking lot ministries. 

 He retired from the United States Postal Service in Indianapolis as a vending machine technician after 33 years, was a US Army veteran where he received the National Defense Service Medal and Expert (M-16 Rifle) certification, attended Austin Peay State University in Nashville, Tennessee, graduated from Lockyear College in Indianapolis with an associate degree in accounting, attended J.W. Million in elementary school in Earlington, and graduated from Earlington High School in1971 where he played on the basketball team.  His hobbies included cooking, grilling, woodworking, handyman projects, traveling, and, watching basketball and football.  He was an avid Indianapolis Colts football fan.

He leaves behind to cherish his loving memories three sons James S.(Camille) Gillum III, Donald R. (Kathy) Gillum, and Ronald B. (Anne) Gillum all of Indianapolis; seven brothers James W. Smith of Princeton, Rev. H.A. (Earlene) Suggs III of Earlington, Ellis D. Scisney, Glen E. (Malishia) Scisney, Reginald L. Scisney, Neal (Angela) Scisney, and Rev. William L. Scisney all of Madisonville; four sisters Mary L. Smith of Louisville, Minnie L. Moore of Wilmington, North Carolina, Jacqueline E. Scisney of Earlington, and Sharon A. Foster of Indianapolis; one uncle James L. (Grace) Scisney of Indianapolis; three special brothers Terry Johnson of Indianapolis, Oliver "Bubby" (Adell) Wilkes of Madisonville, and Sherman (Deborah) Smith of Louisville; special friends Berna Harris and Mary Johnson both of Indianapolis, and Vivian Pettus of Earlington; 9 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. 

His life will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Friday March 17, 2023 at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. 

The Reverend Walter Ellis will officiate. 

Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Earlington with military honors performed by the 101st Airborne Division of Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Hopkins County Honor Guard. 

Visitation and wake services will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time Friday at the church. 

For your viewing, the service will be live-streamed beginning at 12:45 p.m. on Elliott-Bowles Mortuary facebook page. 

Elliott-Bowles Mortuary in Madisonville is in charge of his professional services and arrangements.

To share condolences with the family go to www.elliottmortuarycares.com.

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