James Herbert Bays-86 of Maynardville went to be with the Lord Monday morning, February 19, 2024, at his home. He was of the Church of God faith. He enjoyed his long-time career as an over the road truck driver and had been to Canada, Mexico and every state except for Alaska. Preceded in death by his parents, Hayden and Lindy Bays; wives, Linda Darlene Bays and Bonnie Bays; children, Kathy Bays, Herbie Bays, Jerry Childress, David Childress, Angie Pollard; grandchildren, Misty Childress, Alex Childress, Kelley Childress, Josh Hunley; sisters, Maggie, Anne, Reba; brother, Esco Bays.

Left to mourn his passing, children, James Hayden Bays, Jr. and wife Teresa, Donald Lynn Childress (Missy), Sherry Childress, Sonya Liebold, Angie Stiner, Samuel Thatcher; grandchildren, Preston Bays, Scotty Baty, Krystin Pollard, Zach Pollard, Justin Loy, Brittany Cheser and husband Brandon, Scott Stiner, Hunter Liebold, Kayla Thatcher, Donald Childress, Jr. and wife Brooke, Gary Hunley, Jr. (Tonya), Jeremiah Hunley (Amber), Courtney Childress, Bradley Hunley; great grandchildren, Annalese Loy, Oliver, Anthony, Rosalea, Mason, Peyton, Paxton, Paisley Childress, Braxton, Baylee, Blakelyn Hunley, Riley Ford, Colt Cheser, Axel Cheser, Braxton Warwick, Kain Stiner, Danni Warwick, Winter Nicely, Jacob and Zachariah Hunley; great-great-great grandchildren, Oakleigh and Keinsley Hunley; siblings, Helen Hughett, Sara Loy, Linda Harless, Robert and Tina Bays; special family, Jimmy Sisk, Eddie Sisk, Aurther Helms.

The family will receive friends 5-7 pm Wednesday, February 21, 2024 with the funeral service to follow at 7:00 pm Wednesday, Cooke-Campbell Mortuary Chapel, Rev. Wade Brantley officiating with music by The Kelly Family. Interment 11 a.m. Thursday, February 22, 2024, Rev. Monty Walker officiating at Big Barren Cemetery, Maynardville. Family and friends will meet 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home to go in the procession. Pallbearers will be Gary Hunley, Jeremiah Hunley, Preston Bays, Justin Loy, Scotty Baty, Dave Russo. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary in Maynardville.