James "Bud" Shinholster

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. James “Bud” Shinholster, will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 1:00PM at Jordan Stream Baptist Church Toomsboro, Georgia. Interment will follow at the Springhill CME Church Cemetery - Gordon. Public viewing will be held at the funeral home Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 11:00-7:00PM.

James, lovingly known as “Bud”, was born on June 3, 1943, in Gordon, GA to the parentage of the late Jelp and Gertrude Shinholster. He attended Calhoun Consolidated Schools and at an early age, joined Springhill CME. He began his career at the Freeport (Engelhard) Plant in McIntyre, where he retired in 2005. For majority of his life, he also worked as an entrepreneur where he taught and employed many men of his family and of the community under his construction business, Shinholster Construction. Through his self-taught business, his dedication and hard work earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues, clients and the community alike. He was known for his generosity, volunteer work, and commitment to helping others. Friends and neighbors often described him as someone who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need, and his acts of kindness will not be forgotten.

Bud was joined in holy matrimony to Willie Mae Shinholster on February 16, 1963. They were married for 53 years and out of this union came six children.

On March 5, 2026, God called Bud home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Willie Mae Shinholster, son, Willie James Shinholster, granddaughter, Tinetta Smith, father, Jelp Shinholster and his mother, Gertrude Shinholster.

Family was at the center of Bud’s life. He leaves behind to cherish his legacy, six children, Kenneth (Kathy) Shinholster of Locust Grove, Ga, Janis Smith, Ronald Shinholster both of Irwinton, Ga, Phyllis Whipple of McDonough, Ga, Michelle (Bobby) Hightower of Milledgeville, Ga and Melvin (Josephine) Cummings of Douglasville, Ga. He also leaves behind a brother, Samuel (Jacqueline) Shinholster and two sisters, Cora Phelps and Doris Davis, all of Irwinton, Ga; a brother-in-law, Eddie Johnson of East Point, Ga. along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a great-great grandchild, nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Family will receive friends at the family home located at 55 MLK Jr. Road Irwinton, Georgia 31042.

Wilkinson County Memorial Chapel – Irwinton has charge of arrangements.