Jim C. Dillard, 81, of Owensboro, passed away peacefully in Sellersburg, Indiana. He was born November 27, 1942, in Tyronza, Arkansas to the late Elbert “E.V.” Dillard and Nancy Mae Robertson Dillard. Jim was a missionary school teacher and a member of Bellevue Baptist Church. He and his wife, Janet, were appointed as career missionaries to Kenya in 1970. He had such a gentle way about him and his presence was enough to put anyone at ease. He didn’t know a stranger, always had a joke ready to go, and sang his way through life.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Janet Davis Dillard; and siblings, J.V. Dillard, Ellen Smith, Irene Burt, Louise Odell, Mary Lou Tacker, and Betty Reynolds.
Survivors include two sons, Davis (Valerie) Dillard and Brandon (Kelly) Dillard; grandchildren, Cara Dillard, Michael (Kaity) Dillard, Matthew Rigsby, Kelsey Rigsby, Christian Dillard, and Mark Dillard; four great-grandchildren, Kiah Hill, Kaiden Hill, Krue Warner, and Madelynn Jo Dillard.
Funeral services will be at noon on Wednesday, Apil 17, 2024 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Services will be live-streamed at www.davisfuneralhome.com. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Bellevue Baptist Church, 4950 State Route 56, Owensboro, KY 42301.