James Stuckey

James Stuckey, Jr., of Bennettsville, SC, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC.  The son of the late James Stuckey, Sr. and Atlee Quick Stuckey, James was born on May 12, 1960 in Bennettsville, S.C.  A premature birth earned him the nickname “Pee Wee”, but his children and grandchildren knew him as “Pop”.  

James was a brilliant man who excelled academically and was a skilled athlete (basketball, softball, and track).  As a student, he drove school buses and mastered brick masonry in vocational school.  He graduated from Bennettsville High School in May 1978.  As a young man, James gave his life to Jesus and was a passionate witness to anyone who would listen.  One of his children’s most impressionable memories was watching him share the gospel with young men on the streets of Bennettsville with Edward Samuel, Ervin Simmons, and Wade Dudley.  

James was an extraordinarily responsible man, who fully embodied the work ethic taught to him by his parents.  He worked at Essex, Boro Wood Products and Highlander before eventually deciding to become a correctional officer. In 1988, James graduated top of his class at the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy where he also became a certified Firearms Instructor.  In October 1989, he was appointed Armorer for Evans Correctional Institution 
and convinced his kids that there was no lock in the world that he could not unlock.  In 1990, James received the Department of Corrections supervisory training and began to quickly rise through the ranks.  He was promoted to Lieutenant II in March 1994, Associate Warden I in December 1995, and Major in May 1996.  He received numerous certificates of appreciation for outstanding service, hard work and dedication during his thirteen years at Evans.  He was even nominated for Correctional Supervisor of the Year in 1995 by the International Association of Correctional Officers. Throughout his distinguished career, he continued his education, completing 35 hours toward his Associates’ Degree in Criminal Justice.  He was known to officers and inmates alike, as a tough but fair officer who was willing to put his life on the line for the safety of everyone in the institution.  In May 1997, when three inmates escaped, he jumped into his own vehicle and pursued them.  Because of the proximity of their home at the time, each time his children heard the riot alarm, they knew that their daddy was taking care of business. But more important to him than his distinguished career, was his beautiful family.  He was a proud son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.  There is no question that he loved his wife and children and he dedicated his life to ensuring that they were safe and well cared for.  He was not just a natural leader, but a teacher, and would spend hours teaching and sharing his life experiences with his children.  When he began to have grandchildren, he doted on them and made them feel as though they were the most important people in the world.  He was incredibly wise and could be counted on to know what was best for any situation.  He talked to his aunts and siblings often and made sure he knew what was going on with each niece, nephew, and cousin at all times.  

He loved to fish and repair cars and spent his retirement years taking care of friends in the community.  He was known for spending hours outside ministering to people as he repaired their cars.  

James leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of thirty four years, Frederica Marcella Bridges Stuckey of Bennettsville, SC; four children: Dominica Stuckey, of Bennettsville, SC, Chamica Sharpe of Atlanta, GA, Faith Riquelme of Fort Mill, SC, and James Q. Stuckey of Bennettsville, SC; two special sons, Dedrick Sharpe and Jorge Riquelme; the absolute delight of his life, his nine grandchildren: A’mya, Caleb, Neziah, Asia, Aaliyah, Isabel, JaQuincy, James, and Charli; ten siblings: Willie Mae (Oscar) Haithcock, Willie James (Sheila) Green, Prentis (Faye) Green, Mary (Henry) Mitchell, Iris Green, Sara Spann, Johnny (Elandis) Stuckey, Aline (Ezzard) York, Pamela (Douglas) Washington, and Peggy Wright; two siblings who preceded him in death: Geraldine (Theodore) Mack and Donald Ray (Valerie) Stuckey; mother-in-law, Essie Bridges; Father-in-law, Fred Bridges; sister-in-laws, Arleen Cook, Sharon Graham, Jennifer Dupree, Barbara Pridgen; brother-in-laws, Fredrick Bridges, Eric Bridges, deceased (Virita), Orlando Bridges, deceased,  and Julius Bridges;  three special aunts, Ruth (William) McRae, Aline Dundy, and Nancy Zimmerman; special friends, Pastor James Smith, Larry Ransom (who preceded him in death), Frederick Pearson, Edward Samuel, Ervin Simmons,Wade Dudley, and Darryl Williams; nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly; a host of cousins, and friends.

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