Mr. James A. Conner, 68, of Sparks, Georgia, passed away October 7, 2014 at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Georgia. He was born November 18, 1945 in Valdosta to Oliver Arlington Conner (late) and Margaret Chapman Conner. He lived most of his life in Alabama and Tennessee and the last several years in Cook County. He was a member of Maranatha Baptist Church in Sparks and was retired from Georgia Turf where he worked as a golf course construction supervisor. He also served his country in the United States Air Force.

Mr. Conner is survived by his wife, Mrs. Laquetta Young Conner of Sparks; his mother, Mrs. Margaret Chapman Conner of Lakeland, Georgia; two step-daughters: Cindy Ashley of Adel, Georgia, Sandra Griffin of Sparks; a step-son, Kevin Clements of Raleigh, North Carolina; seven step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Linda Bruce of Lakeland, Georgia, and Patty Vanover of Duluth, Georgia. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, William "Bill" Conner.

Visitation was held on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Boone Funeral Home, 1804 South Hutchinson Avenue, in Adel. Funeral services were held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Maranatha Baptist Church, 900 N. Goodman St. in Sparks, with Rev. Wayne Driskel officiating. Interment followed in Sparks City Cemetery. Special selections played at the service were "The Lighthouse" "Go Rest High on That Mountain". Gerald Stalvey, Caleb Griffin, Zachary Griffin, Cody Griffin, Joie Conner, and Daryll Vanover served as active pallbearers; the Trustees of Maranatha Church, which included Bennie Shivers, Jake McMillan, and Wille Manus, served as honorary pallbearers.