Jimmy Kirk Driver, 72
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His fellow officers; LT. Butch Avera, TRP. Neil Ferguson, TRP. Tracy Donoho, TRP. Shannon Brinkley, TRP. Buddy Head, SGT. Ashley Mercer, and Captain Vic Donoho served as Pallbearers. Interment followed in the Macon County Memorial Gardens. Jimmy Kirk Driver was born on March 21, 1938, down on White Oak Creek in the Galen community of Macon County. He was the eighth of nine children of Cozy and Ruth Bohanon Driver. Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Cozette Birdwell, Jackie Morris, and Wilma Calloway, brother, VD. “Skeeter” Driver, sister-in-law, Maryland Driver, Brother-in-law, William Birdwell, Ray Jenkins, Billy Joe Key, and Frank Morris, and a Niece, Penny Driver. He married the love of his life, Julia Ann Billingsley, on July 5, 1961. They were inseparable as a couple, going everywhere together.
After a short time working for Imperial Reading shirt factory in Lafayette, he joined the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 1964. He retired as a sergeant in 1995 after 31 years of service to the state. After retiring from the THP, he served as court officer for Macon County. And in 2000, he was elected as Mayor of Lafayette during a special election, then in the regular election, serving until 2004. During his tenure as mayor, he was instrumental in securing the federal building in Lafayette as the home for the Lafayette Police Department, the upgrades made to the Lafayette Sewer Plant, and the new fire hall for the Lafayette Fire department was built under his leadership. He remained a part of the city government by serving on the Lafayette Planning Commission, of which he was a current member. Jimmy was Missionary Baptist in faith. He united with Old Bottom Missionary Baptist Church on November 24, 1996. He presently attended Lafayette Missionary Baptist Church. He had a deep love for motor vehicles. His hobby was trading; both cars and trucks, and he always had the latest models, which he kept spotless. They were his pride and joy. Jimmy was a caring and outgoing person, who loved to joke and laugh with his friends and family. He was always there to help and offer words of encouragement to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Jimmy is survive by; wife, Julia Driver, brother, Lloyd and Mizelle Driver of Lafayette, TN, brother, Carl “Dick” Driver of Bowling Green, KY, sisters, Betty Key, and Peggy Jenkins, both of Lafayette, TN and sisters-in-law, Ann Driver of Lafayette, TN, Betty Murray of Dixon Springs, several nieces and nephews, and special friends, Leland and Pat Hargis, also survive.
