William Jaquess Lemons
1915-2000
The Life Of William J. Lemons
William Jacquess Lemons was born September 15, 1915 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the son of John Odie Lemons (1886-1940) and Virtue Algie Jaquess (1889-1952). He had one brother, Charles Griffin (1918-2002) and a sister Mildred E. (1923-1999). William was married May 21, 1940 to Ella Mae Bandy. They had one son, Philip Loren (1941-2005).
He received his training at Watkins School and David Lipscomb College.
William was baptized by R. V. Cawthon on September 12, 1930. Desiring to preach the gospel he began preaching for the Rains Avenue church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee in 1933. Other churches he served included the church of Christ in Dalton, Georgia in the mid to late 1940s. Then he was at Smithville, Tennessee where he preached for the church of Christ there from 1951-1952. Then to Kingston, North Carolina in 1953 and 1954; Central Church of Christ in Gadsden, Alabama from 1954-1960. Then he preached again at Smithville, Tennessee from 1960 to 1963. He then preached in Owensboro, Kentucky from 1963 to 1967. Maryville, Tennessee became the newest work for the Lemons in 1967. In the 1980s and 90s he served the church of Christ in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
In the course of his career he did much radio evangelism beginning in 1943 in Dalton, Georgia on WLBJ. It was the first of six radio stations that broadcast his teaching. At Maryville he preached daily on WGAP in Maryville, Tennessee.
His last years were in Cookeville, where he passed away October 22, 2000. Burial followed in the Crest Lawn Cemetery. Buried near he and his wife, is his brother, a great preacher in his own right, Charles G. Lemons.
Sources: Preachers of Today, Volume 4, page 186; Preachers of Today, Volume 3, page 247; various issues of Gospel Advocate; Ancestry.com; Newspapers.com.
Scott Harp, 07.10.2021
Gospel Meeting Advertisement
Chattanooga Daily Times, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Saturday, May 3, 1947, page 3
Advertisement of A Gospel Meeting
The Rutherford Courier, Smyrna, Tennessee
Thursday, August 23, 1984, page 20
Obituary For William J. Lemons
COOKEVILLE Funeral services for William Jacquess Lemons, 85, of Cookeville, will be held at 10 A. M. on Tues., Oct. 31, from the chapel of Whitson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery.Mr. Lemons died on Sat., Oct. 28, 2000, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
He was born on Sept. 15, 1915, in Davidson County to the late John Otie (a store owner and railroad man) and Virtie Algie Jacquess Lemons. Mr. Lemons also became a railroad man until he became a preacher. He and his brother, Charles, became Church of Christ ministers. While holding a revival, the brothers met and married twin sisters. Mr. Lemons married the former Ellie Mae Bandy on May 21, 1940, under a shady tree. For the next 48 years, Bro. Lemons preached all over the eastern part of the United States. His most memorable trip was to the holy land in 1961, as an ambassador to the United States.
His family includes his wife, Ellie Mae Bandy Lemons; a son and daughterinlaw, Phillip Loren and Patricia Lemons; two granddaughters, Lori Lemons and Rebecca Watson; a brother, Charles G. Lemons of Albuquerque, N.M.; and three great grandchildren, Tammy Coleman, Dalton Wall and Katelynn Watson.
Source: Find-A-Grave / original source unknown
Directions To Grave
The Lemons family burial plot is in a plot in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Cookeville, Tennessee. The Funeral Home and cemetery are located on West Jackson Street. From I-40 take Exit 286 and head north on Hwy. 135. In about a mile turn left on W. Jackson St. The cemetery is on the left. Instead of entering the main entrance head up to Buffalo Valley Rd. and turn left. The cemetery will be on your left. Enter the second entrance and travel down the lane until you see the Garden of Prayer on you left. The Lemons Family plot will be under the trees. Next to the grave of William and Ellie are that of his brother, and preacher of the gospel, Charles G. Lemons. While in the cemetery note a photo below where it is pointed out where several gospel preachers are buried in the park.
GPS Location
36°09'27.1"N 85°31'39.3"W
or D.d. 36.157520, -85.527573
Charlie G. Lemons - June 8, 1918 - May 26, 2002
Nellie Gray Lemons - April 21, 1921 - January 10, 2002
William J. Lemons - 1915 - 2000
Ellie B. Lemons - 1921 - 2005
brother of Charlie G. Lemons
Photos Taken 08.08.2016
Webpage produce 07.10.2021
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com