James Paxton Roy, Jr.
July 19, 1934 – September 21, 2019
Jim Roy was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. He came to Nashville in the late 1970s from a position he held as Manager of Supporting Services at the University of West Virginia. He taught computer science at Nashville State Technical Institute for twelve years. During this time, his faith led him to volunteer with The Upper Room prayer ministry. In 1993 he married Josephine Medlin and was hired as assistant to Betty Cloyd on the staff of The Upper Room’s prayer center. In 1998, after Betty’s retirement, Jim became director of the prayer ministry until his retirement in 2002. He found his true calling (and his heart remained) in prayer ministry.
Having been a pilgrim on Upper Room Emmaus #1, Jim remained an active member of the Nashville Emmaus Community until he and Josephine moved to Foley, AL in 2005. For 14 years, they were active members of St. Andrew by the Sea, a community church in Gulf Shores, AL and the Servant Heart Emmaus Community in Citronelle. They returned to Tennessee in April, 2019.
Jim is survived by his wife, Josephine Medlin Roy (Hermitage, TN); sister, Janet Parker (Dewey, AZ); children, James P. Roy, III, (Ashville, NC), Judith Roy (Morgantown, WV), Jonathan Roy (Richmond, VA), and Joseph Roy (Morgantown, WV); five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
His extended family includes Margaret Medlin (Joelton, TN), her children and grandchildren; Chuck Medlin and children (Smyrna, TN); and the family of the late Luke Medlin (Donelson, TN).
When asked how he was doing, Jim always said, “Mahvelous.” Instead of saying goodbye, he always said, “God bless you. And remember what I told you.” (Which he may have borrowed from Danny Morris.) He wished only that it might be said of him, “He knew Jesus.”
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 4th at The Upper Room Chapel, 1908 Grand Ave., Nashville, TN 37212. Parking is available across the street from the chapel or in the parking lot behind the building.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Upper Room’s Prayer Ministry, 1908 Grand Ave., Nashville, TN 37212. Cards may be sent to Jo Roy, 230 Harpers Mill Ct., Hermitage, TN 37076.
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