Jimmy Ray Caradine, 68, of Vardaman, a loving husband, father, grandfather, educator, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home July 28, 2019 after an extended illness. He was born June 20, 1951 in Clay County, the son of Harold Edward “Jack” Caradine and Cleo Faye Reese Caradine. He married the love of his life, Marianne, on June 4, 1988 and enjoyed 31 years of building a family with her.
For most of his life, he rarely sat still for long and enjoyed seeing the world. He was a 1970 graduate of Okolona High School, after which he joined the Air Force. While in service, he lived in Berlin, Germany. Upon his discharge in 1973, he attended Mississippi State University. After graduating, he taught one year in Hollandale. He then taught seven years at Houston High School and finished out his teaching career at Vardaman High School. He retired in May 2007. He was a beloved and admired teacher to many of his students to whom he taught high school science as well as many life lessons. He had many interests in life, and enjoyed sharing his passions with those around him.
He was selected Walmart Teacher of the Year in 2006, Vardaman High School Teacher of the Year in 2007, and STAR Teacher in 1982, 1997, 2006, 2008 and 2009. He was very dedicated to his family and his students. He loved to see them learn and travel, and he took numerous student groups on trips over the years, allowing them to see the world. After retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and sharing his knowledge and experience with them. His impact on countless lives will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his wife, Marianne Williams Caradine; daughters, Deanna (Jeremy) Winter and Anamaria (Karsunn) Moore, Vardaman; Brianna (Tiny) Moore, Fayetteville, NC; son, Hansol Joo (Seohee) Seoul, South Korea; grandchildren, Elijah and Jonah Winter, Alanna Caradine, Henry and Miles Moore; one sister, Janice Coleman, Okolona; mother-in-law, Alma Ann Williams, Vardaman; special cousin, Eddie Davis, and many former students and close friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold Edward Caradine Jr. “Jackie” and Billy Joe Caradine; and a very special aunt and uncle, James and Louise Davis, McCondy.
Visitation will be held at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Vardaman Friday, Aug. 2 from 5:00-8:00. The funeral service will be at Friendship Baptist Church in Thorn on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 11, with family visitation from 10 until the service.
Graveside service will follow at Midway Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Eric Davis, Bro. Jeremy Williams, and Bro. Gladwin Carpenter will conduct the services. Pallbearers will be Chad Williams, Dillon Williams, Daniel Williams, Christopher Davis, Walt Edington, Stephen Morgan, and William Gray. Honorary pallbearers will be his nephews Shan Moore, David Caradine, and Billy Joe Caradine; friends Wilbur Holmes, Joe Mashburn, Randy Davis, and Charles Evans; his sons-in-law; grandsons; and former students.
Memorial donations be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org or 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105) or the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org or 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800 Miami, FL 33131).