James Joseph Wyche

Reflection of Life

Deacon James Joseph Wyche, Sr was born on June 27, 1925 to the late Sam Jones and Lusendy Biggins Wyche in Boston, GA. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He served as chairman of the deacon board, recording secretary and was president of the senior choir at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. He was a member of the Masonic Tried Stone Lodge No. 1 and Order of Eastern Star. He joined the U.S. Navy and was a World War II veteran aboard the USS Pokomoke(AV-9). He was married to the late Pansy Mae Staten Wyche for 76 years and their union was blessed with three children.

Deacon Wyche was a well known pillar of his community. He and his wife were proprietors of The Busy Bee Cafe in Thomasville’s historic area known as The Bottom. In recent years, the City of Thomasville placed a plaque at The Bottom to commemorate the Busy Bee Cafe. Later, they opened the Teenage Club, which served as a safe hang out space for teenagers to develop lasting friendships and enjoy delicious food. After the closing of The Teenage Club, they continued serving their community with Wyche’s Bar-B-Q.

Deacon Wyche was known by many names; most notably Mr. James, Uncle James and Big Daddy. He was an excellent cook and shared his culinary skills with many that he worked with who went on to became great cooks themselves. He was a farmer and shared the fruits of his labor with family and friends. Whenever there was someone in need, he could always be counted on to be one of the first to show up, lend a helping hand and go that extra mile. He was a great historian, pianist and carpenter and has left a lasting legacy of love, faith and family.

Deacon Wyche leaves to cherish his legacy his children James J. Wyche, Jr., Eloise W. Jones and Evon Wyche all of Thomasville, GA; grandchildren James Reginald Wyche(Alisha) of Marietta, GA; Allen Derek Caldwell(Adriene) of Dacula, GA; Felicia J. Ford(Edgar, Jr) and Shannon Harper both of Thomasville, Ga; Derrick Wyche and James J. Wyche III both of Roosevelt, NY and John C. Jones of Atlanta, Ga; great grandchildren Jordan Ford, Jasmine Ford, Jamison Chambers, Evan Harper, Serena Harper and Serenity Harper all of Thomasville, Ga; Adrianna Caldwell and Allanna Caldwell both of Dacula, Ga and Hannah R. Wyche of San Diego, CA; great-great granddaughter Alejandra Caldwell Cruz of Dacula, Ga and brother Oneal(Marie)Wyche of Freeport, NY and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Thelma Dunbar, Marie Williams, Mary Williams, Artie Lee Williams, Crotel Lawyer, Lelia Mahoney and brothers Hugh Edward and Nathaniel Wyche.