James Horton

James Eugene Horton, also known as Buddy or Overstreet, after battling with several illnesses, passed away peacefully at the age of 70 years old.  He was born on 05/03/1955 in Johnson City, TN to Thelma Rollins Horton and Charles Davis, Jr. 

James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend. He loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren and his joy was spending quality time with them.  

James never met a stranger and was always wanting to help people that were in need.  He was

always a beacon of light and was always available for questions pertaining to law enforcement.

James greatest joy was being a Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps and after serving in the armed forces he served as a police officer for some years in Cincinnati, OH, Knoxville, TN and Lexington KY; he also worked as a phlebotomist in Cincinnati, OH and Blount Memorial in Alcoa, TN, and was so good at being one that they assigned him to the elderly.  He had a natural gift of protecting people without being judgemental.  Later on, he moved into other forms of law enforcement.

James will be missed for his witty and comical remarks that he would come out with spontaneously, and his shouts of Hallelujah when he felt like praising the Lord.  In 2002, He met Eleanor Wilson and they were married. This union lasted for 23 years. In 2003, after being compelled by the Holy Spirit to go and hear Bishop Darryl B. Starnes who was preaching at Clinton Chapel, He gave his heart to the Lord. He immediately joined First A.M.E. Zion Church and was baptized by Presiding Elder Derrick Simmons.  In 2011, James and his wife joined and became faithful members of Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, under the pastorage of the late Rev. Richard S. Brown. He served in the Media Ministry and also in Security. 

His passing leaves a void in all our lives that cannot be filled and he will truly be missed and not forgotten.

James was preceded in death by grandparents: Charles and Mabel Rollins; mother, Thelma (Sudie) Rollins Horton and father Charles Davis, Jr., Uncles: Chubby, Pap and Sherman Rollins.

Leaving to cherish his memories:  Wife, Eleanor Horton, Daughters: Stephanie “Nikki” Horton and Perrier Sherles Horton; Sons: Arron Horton (Alexus) and Sean Horton, Sister: Hazeline Mason, Sister-In-Law: Annie Woodard; Brother: Steve Wagner (Suzie); Brothers-in-Law: Alfred Babington-Johnson (Anna) and James Babington-Johnbson, Jr.; Nephews: Mose White, Wilmer “June” Hall and Bishop Darryl B. Starnes (Camille); Nieces: Takeisha Sanders and Temple Widener; Special Aunt: Mary “Cissy” Rollins; Uncle: Ralph Rollins; Grandchildren: Kyana, Kintaeya, Artearion, Kemian, Benjamin, Adia; Extended Children: Allen, Kris, Sammy, Keith, Rod, Eugene, Billy Ray, Charles, Chad and Cornelius; Extended Grandchildren: Madison and Kayla and a host of great grandchildren, cousins, great nieces/nephews and friends. Too many to name but all beloved.

The family will receive friends from 12:00pm to 1:00pm on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2714 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914 with a service to immediately follow. 

Final Arrangements entrusted to Jarnigan & Son Mortuary