Ray City History Blog

James H. Touchton, 1934, Vanderbilt University.

By special request, and by way of correction… an update on James Hardy Touchton, Jr.

James Hardy Touchton, Jr. (1911-1996) was raised in Valdosta, GA.  He was a son of James Hardy Touchton, Sr. and Ocie Blanche McNiece.

His mother died in Atlanta in 1918 from complications following a surgical operation.  Her body was brought back to Valdosta for burial. James was just seven years old at the time.

The Valdosta Times ran the following obituary:

(transcribed by family members from an old clipping)

      Mrs. J. H. Touchton died Saturday afternoon at 4:15 in a sanitarium in Atlanta, where she had undergone an operation during the morning. While apparently in good health she was suffering more or less from a blood clot. After undergoing the operation advices were received in Valdosta that she was doing remarkably well and the news of her death coming later in the day was a distinct shock to the friends of the deceased.
The remains reached the city yesterday morning accompanied by Mr. Touchton, who was with her at the time of the operation and death. Mrs. Touchton was about 35 years of age and besides her husband is survived by three children. Virgina, J. H. Jr, and Margaret, and her father and other, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. McNeiss, of Waycross, and three brothers. One brother,Mr. Will McNeiss, together with her parents, attended the funeral. Another brother, Louis, is at Camp Wheeler and one in Kansas City. The former arrived here this morning.
The funeral was held at the residence on North Toombs street at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. Alex W. Bealer, of the Lee Street Baptist church. The choir of that church sang beautifully “God Will Take Care of You” while Miss Ernestine Varn sang “Death is only a dream”
The services were touching and impressive and largely attended. The pall bearers were Messrs. J. M. Youngblood, J. W. Davis, C M. …..(end of clipping)

A short obituary also appeared in the Atlanta Constitution, April 28, 1918 edition:

Obituary of Ocie Touchton, Atlanta Constitution, April 28, 1918

In the same edition of the Atlanta Constitution, there also appeared a brief funeral notice:

Funeral Notice for Mrs. Ocie Touchton, Atlanta Constitution, April 28, 1918.

James’ father,  J. H. Touchton, Sr. owned a furniture store in Valdosta named J. H. Touchton & Company.

In 1934, Touchton attended Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. As a freshman he was majoring in engineering. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and other activities included Glee Club, Freshman Football, Basketball, Track, and “Commodore” Representative.

He attended Vanderbilt for one year, but after his father died he returned to Valdosta and took over the management of the furniture store.

James H. Touchton, 1934, Vanderbilt University Glee Club.