J.B. Stubblefield passed from this life surrounded by family on September 8, 2022 at his daughter’s residence at the age of 103, 2 days shy of 104. He was born September 10, 1918 on a farm in Morrison, Tennessee to the late Jesse Burr Stubblefield and Bessie McCormick Stubblefield.
J. B. was a World War II veteran who joined the Army Air Forces in January 1942 after Pearl Harbor was bombed in December 1941. Six weeks later he was on a boat in the Pacific. He served in Australia and New Guinea as an airplane electrician. While in New Guinea, he entered the jungle to evade the enemy where he developed malaria and amnesia. His family was notified that he was missing in action. Prayers were answered when he was eventually found and was identified by the little Bible testament his mother had mailed to him in New Guinea writing his name and home address inside.
J.B. married Bobbie Jo Reed in 1952, and they were married for 69 years until her passing in 2021. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved his family and enjoyed farming, raising cattle, pigs, hay, and a huge garden every year at their farm in Shelbyville. In later years, he became a birdwatcher and enjoyed spending time on the porch with his favorite folks watching the world go by.
He was a member of Thompson Creek Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie, infant son, Joe David, and sister, Josephine Haley.
J. B. is survived by his son Perry Stubblefield (LeAnn Barnes) of Shelbyville, daughter Pam (Larry) Ledford of Manchester; three grandsons Kyle Stubblefield (Cayty Marland) of Smyrna, Zach Ledford (Emily) of Tullahoma, and Nathan Ledford (Shelby Jones) of Nashville; and several nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to his wonderful, devoted caregivers Linda Martin, Melisa Martin, and Melena Greene. They kept him and his family going after the death of his wife, Bobbie, in September 2021. Also, thank you to Marty Gordon and the American Mule and Bluegrass Festival team for honoring him this year as their special veteran. He worked mules on the farm growing up and mules always held a special place in his heart. Also, thank you to Compassus Hospice, Home Instead, and the Veterans Administration.
Visitation for Mr. Stubblefield were held on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at noon until service time at 2 pm in the chapel of Doak-Howell Funeral Home in Shelbyville with Brother Dennis Ham and Brother Alan Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tullahoma.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in J.B.’s memory be made to Freedom Sings USA which helps veterans find healing through songs, sharing, and friendship - https://www.freedomsingsusa.org/
