JIM CULLISON

James E. "Jim" Cullison, age 82, of Charleston, MO, died Monday, October 2, 2023, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Born July 20, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, MO, to the late Dr. James Marion Cullison, DVM, and Dorothy Lett Cullison, Jim grew up in Charleston, MO, and graduated from Charleston High School. He received a Master's degree in Reproductive Physiology from Mississippi State University in 1967.

Jim worked with the Greenville, MS, Chamber of Commerce, then opened a Honda dealership. He later returned to Charleston to farm the family land.

On July 26, 1977, Jim married Lee Ann Pickard, who preceded him in death on July 11, 2017. Together, they had five children, twelve grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Family was important to Jim as he was an only child. He attended as many activities of his extended family as possible and spent many summers floating the Current River with them.

A lifelong member of the Charleston United Methodist Church, Jim was also civic-minded. For many years, he served on the boards of directors for Citizens Bank and the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, MO, where he chaired the board from 2008 to 2010. He was instrumental in helping establish Charleston's rural health clinic. In addition, he was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.

An avid sportsman, Jim loved to fish all over the country. He also loved horses and took annual trips to Eminence, MO, with close friends.

Surviving are five children: Laura Jones of Gallup, NM; Suzy Cullison (Clayt) Mason of Atlanta, GA; Mary Cullison (Lance) Pruitt of Knoxville, TN; Dr. James W. (Wendy) Cullison of Alpharetta, GA; and Michael Jones of Charleston, MO.

Twelve grandchildren: Layton Jones, Courtney Jones, Emma Jones, Cullison (Samantha) Mason, Nikkilee (Steven) Morris, Shelby (Austin) Collins, Riley Pruitt, Carson Pruitt, James Foster Cullison, Waverly Cullison, Nicci Mason, and Story Mason.

Four great grandchildren: Frankie Morris, Mason Morris, Grady Collins, and James David Collins.

The visitation and funeral will be held at the United Methodist Church in Charleston, MO, Friday, October 6, 2023. The visitation will start at 12 p.m., and the funeral will follow at 1 p.m. with Reverend Scott Moon officiating. Afterward, the interment will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Mark Dugan, Richard Galemore, Emmett Burke, Reginald Young, David Brewer, Bart Stallings and Brett Matthews.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to: The Missouri Delta Medical Center Foundation, 1008 North Main Street, Sikeston, MO 63801.