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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. JAMES (JIM) LEON STALLINGS
_____
HON. TERRI A. SEWELL
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 25, 2019
Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life
of Mr. James (Jim) Leon Stallings of Selma, Alabama.
Mr. Stallings was beloved by his community and went out of his way to
improve the lives of others. Sadly, Mr. Stallings passed away on
Friday, February 15, 2019 at the age of 83.
As a child, Mr. Stallings attended Nash County Training School in
Nashville, North Carolina where he stood out as an excellent basketball
player and athlete.
After graduating from high school, he attended Allen University in
Columbia, South Carolina, where he met the love of his life, Bettye
Bonner.
Mr. Stallings was drawn to a life of service from a young age. He was
involved early in life at his church, Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist
and, upon graduating from college, enrolled in the United States Army.
Later, Mr. Stallings continued to give back to his community by
helping develop the next generation of Alabamians, working as a teacher
in the Wilcox County School System at W. J. Jones High School, in Pine
Apple, Alabama, and a teacher and basketball coach in the Dallas County
Schools System at Tipton High School, in Selma, Alabama.
After many years of service in the Alabama public schools, Mr.
Stallings transitioned to a role with the City of Selma, dedicating 27
years as the first African American Director of General Services. In
that role, Mr. Stallings opened doors of opportunity for many young men
and women to prosper.
One of Mr. Stalling's passions was DJing at WHBB Radio in Selma where
he was fondly known as ``Big Jim.'' He quickly became known for gracing
the airwaves with a variety of musical genres, including spiritual,
soft rock and R&B music on his shows, ``The Spiritual Hour'' and the
``Jim Stallings Show.'' Mr. Stallings' music selections helped heal
community divisions in the 1960s and laid the pathway for other
aspiring African American DJs to enter the local radio scene.
Mr. Stallings' hobbies did not stop at the radio station, though. He
was an honorary member of the Twelve High Club; a member of the Alabama
Elks Lodge No. 1170 where he served for several years as the Exalted
Ruler; an original member of the Tuesday Night Group; Director of the
local Beauty and Talent; and the Alabama State Association of Elks;
lead singer for Terry and the Fantastics; and a football announcer for
the City of Selma and the Dallas County School systems.
While Mr. Stallings has passed from this life to the next, his legacy
lives on in his devoted children, Anthony and Bonnie, his five
grandchildren and many grand nieces and nephews, cousins, other
relatives and friends.
On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional district and a grateful
nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mr. Stallings'
contributions to bettering the Selma community and our nation.
____________________
