James (Buddy) Edward Mitchem, Sr., 62, of Doe Creek Road at Pembroke departed this life Friday morning May 18, 2007 at Giles Memorial Hospital after a long , hard fought illness. Born in Giles County on November 6, 1944, he was a son of the late James Edward and Sadie Stevers Mitchem. Buddy was proud of his home and his family and proud of the twenty-seven years he had worked in custodial management at Blacksburg High School in Blacksburg, VA He was preceded in death by his beloved mother-in-law Panzie Dennis.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Sarah Jane Dennis Mitchem; two sons Karl Gillespie and Edward Mitchem both of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law Shiran and Jose Ariza of Floyd, Susan and Timmy Santolla of Pembroke; six grandchildren Justin and Josh Smith of Pembroke, Joey and Willy Santolla of Pembroke, Sarah and Haley Ariza of Floyd; three brothers Bobby Mitchem and David Mitchem both of Blacksburg, Charlie Mitchem of Narrows; three sisters Anna Mae Reiss of Allentown, PA, Betty Ratcliff of Blacksburg, Shirley Green of Rich Creek.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00 AM in The Kendall Funeral Home Chapel at 605 Snidow St. in Pembroke. Burial will follow in New Zion Cemetery at Waiteville, WV. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening from 6 to 8 PM. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com.