James Randel Varden

James Randel Varden, age 64 of Thorsby, passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 1, at his residence.

He was born in Chilton County on April 18, 1952, the son of the late Bernie E. Varden and the late Bertha Littleton Varden. He was a painter.

He is survived by his wife, Kay Gillespie Varden of Thorsby; daughter, Nichole (William) Kee of Jemison; granddaughter, Courtney Kee of Jemison; brothers, Ed Varden of Birmingham, Danny (Teresa) Varden of Jemison, Larry Varden of Thorsby, and Tim (Dorothy) Varden of Jemison; sisters, Ann (Ricky) Hayes of Thorsby, and Donna (William) Hayes of Clanton; sister-in-laws, Gail Wilson of Clanton, Pat (Jimmy) Pitts of Wilsonville, Debbie (Tim) Scott of Thorsby, and Penny (Allen) Jones of Columbiana; brother-in-law, Tim (Kim) Gillespie of Clanton; along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Jennifer Rachel Varden; parents, Bernie and Bertha Varden; and father and mother-in-law, Knox and Esther Gillespie.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 3 from 6-8 p.m. at Ellison Memorial Funeral Home in Clanton. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 4 at 11 a.m. from Pates Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Cory Varden, Rev. William Kee, and Rev. Tim Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Pates Chapel Baptist Cemetery in Thorsby.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Hayes, Shane Scott, Keith Varden, and Jonathan Varden. Active pallbearers will be Jared Felkins, Hunter Gillespie, Clint Glass, Robert Glass, Casey Varden, and Dustin Varden.

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Ellison Memorial Funeral Home of Clanton, EllisonMemorialFuneralHome.com.