J.D. Silver

James Douglas (J.D.) Silver, 96, went to sleep on earth and woke in Heaven on Saturday, July 20, 2024. He was born on November 12, 1927, to Fred M. and Esther Shadwick Silver.

Left to continue his legacy is his son Doug (Pam), daughter Melody Buckner (Jackie); grandchildren Melissa Adams (Joe), Michelle Morgan (Freddy), Athena Davis (Kraig), Jamie (Megan), Natalie Killian (Josh); great-grandchildren Andrew (Molly) and Eli Adams, Chloe, Kassidy, and Tyler Morgan, Francisco, Emma, Roman, Angela, and Kelsey Davis, and Elisha, Yasmine, Dylan, Jacob, and Toby Silver.

He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 74 years, Aleene; his parents, Fred and Esther Silver; one brother, Paul M. Silver and sisters, Patricia (Richard) McAfee and Christine Silver.

Mr. Silver spent twenty-five years in the textile industry with Rossville Yarn, Peerless Woolen Mill, and Burlington Industries, followed by a second career of more than thirty years as a realtor in the Cleveland area and was a graduate of Cleveland State Community College. He was active in the Cleveland community, including being named Optimist of the Year by the Optimist Club in 1973. 

Mr. Silver was a patriarch of South Cleveland Church of God, having been a member for 65 years since his move to Cleveland in 1959. He led and supported South Cleveland and the greater Church of God as a whole by serving on the Church of God National Laymen’s Board, Sunday School Superintendent, director of the PrimeTimers ministry with his wife for many years, the church Building Committee, and on innumerable Church Councils. This love for the church stemmed from a love for the Lord and for His people, and Mr. Silver served the Lord and sought to show His face through his own life.

J.D. Silver adored his family. You could not speak to him very long before he told you how many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren he had and that they all love and serve the Lord. Nothing made him more proud than to publicly celebrate the accomplishments of his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren (and he considered all of their spouses his own as well). He was a family man to his core and, even in his last years and months, would tell his family over and over how much he loved them and how proud he was of them. He, along with his late wife, Aleene, created a family legacy that has shaped four generations and whose impact will be felt for generations to come. 

 Pallbearers include his great grandsons; Drew Adams, Eli Adams, Elisha Silver, Jacob Silver, Dylan Silver and Francisco Davis.

Visitation will take place at South Cleveland Church of God on Wednesday, July 24, at 5:00 PM, with the funeral at 6. Internment will follow at Lee Cemetery. Bishops Edwin Lipsey and Chris Moody will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Royal Family Kids Camp, a ministry of South Cleveland Church of God. You may mail your gift to South Cleveland Church of God, 1846 Volunteer Dr SW, Cleveland, TN, 37311, or donate online at https://www.southcleveland.org/give .