James Odie Wise

James Odie Wise, 80, of Cleveland, passed away Friday, May 24, 2019 in a Chattanooga hospital.  He had lived in the Cleveland area most of his life, and he was a member of West Cleveland Baptist Church.  He had been employed at the Cleveland Country Club and Colonial Baking Company.  He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert B. Wise and Catherine Bass Wise; brothers, Bobby Wise and Gene Wise; and sisters, Savannah Elrod and Ruth Harrington.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ressie “Rusty” Mae Murphy Wise; son, James Wesley Wise and wife Christy Dawn of Cumberland Gap, TN; three grandchildren, Ashley Darlene Wise-Mitchell and husband Eric of Louisville, KY, James Robert Wise of Cumberland Gap, TN, and Christa Anne Wise of Cumberland Gap, TN; close family friends, Michael Burnette and Ashley Marie Burnette (who were like a son and granddaughter to the family); lifelong best friend, Bob Wallace; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

A celebration of his life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.  Military honors, a white dove release ceremony, and the playing of bagpipes will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the funeral home.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Wise family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.