Jimmy Bingham

Jimmy Bingham

Tupelo- James William Bingham, 82, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo after a lengthy illness. Jimmy was born on May 5, 1941, to James Washington and Jane Bryson Bingham.

Raised in Guntown, he initially attended Guntown School before transferring to the Tupelo School District. Following graduation from Tupelo High School in 1959, Jimmy enrolled at the University of Mississippi to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He graduated from Ole Miss in 1964 and started the first phase of his professional career working for Mid-South Packers in Tupelo for two years before deciding to move back to Oxford to begin law school. A gifted pianist, Jimmy took advantage of his talents playing at The Cotton Club and various nightlife venues along Beale Street in Memphis to help financially support himself during this period of life. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1968 and immediately moved back to Tupelo to open his own law practice. A counselor to many, Mr. Bingham (as he was known professionally) was a devout “old country lawyer” serving the greater Tupelo area for 50 years. Regarded as one of the most respected attorneys in Northeast Mississippi, he spent countless hours in his office making sure his clients received top-notch representation.

On January 15, 1971, he married the love of his life, Paula Reed from Tupelo. They were married for 52 years and had four children: James William Bingham Jr., John Benjamin Bingham, Amanda Diane Bingham, and Joseph Robert Bingham.

Jimmy was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo, where he served on the staff parish committee and in a variety of other leadership roles over the years. A lifelong outdoorsman, Jimmy earned his Eagle Scout honors as a youth and continued his love for the outdoors into adulthood often taking his children camping, quail/squirrel hunting, and fishing. He also found joy in raising and training English pointers and had a special love for cocker spaniels. He was an antique car enthusiast proudly owning several over the course of his lifetime. He also enjoyed taking annual family vacations with his wife and children, which somehow would always include a stop at a major league baseball park. His love for sports, especially tennis and baseball, was second to none. Early in their marriage, he even jokingly told Paula that he hoped they’d have 9 sons one day so that he could form his own baseball team. In his free time, you could find him at a ball field or a dance recital supporting his 3 children, or later in life, doing the same for his grandkids.

Jimmy is survived by Paula, his beloved wife of 52 years; his children Ben Bingham (Suzanne), Amanda McCarthy (Daniel), and Joey Bingham; his grandchildren Reed Bingham, Cooper Bingham, Drew McCarthy, Ella McCarthy, Hannah McCarthy, and Turner Bingham; and a very special niece and nephew, Lea Anne Lemmons Griffin and Sonny Lemmons.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his son, James William (Jamie) Bingham Jr.; his parents; his sister, Patsy Lemmons; and a brother-in-law, Henry Lemmons.

Visitation will be Monday, June 26, 2023, from 4 until 7 p.m. at Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo. An additional visitation will be one hour prior to service Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at First United Methodist Church's gathering room.

Services will be at First United Methodist Church in Tupelo at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2023, with Rev. Steven P. 'Rusty' Keen, Rev. Fawn Keen, and Rev. Andy Ray officiating. Burial will follow at Campbelltown Cemetery in Guntown. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Reed Bingham, Cooper Bingham, Drew McCarthy, Turner, Bingham, Sonny Lemmons, and Kevin Griffin.

Honorary pallbearers will be Britt Rogers, Jimmy Floyd, William Lamar, Bryson Irwin, Mike Irwin, Roger Byrd, Henry Dodge, and Keith Roberts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church General Fund, 412 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made to PeguesFuneralHome.com.