James (Jim) Spray Kidd, who served as district attorney for more than two decades, passed away at his home on Friday (Sept. 28, 2018). He was 89.
He joined the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1933. He served as deacon, elder, clerk of the session, congregational chairman, moderator of the Tennessee-Alabama Presbytery and member of the choir at the Fayetteville ARP Church since 1960. He also served as an elder emeritus at the Lincoln ARP Church. From 1949 until 2014, Mr. Kidd was an active Sunday School teacher, except while stationed with his military assignments. He served on the board of trustees for Erskine College, the executive board of Synod, board of William H. Dunlap Orphanage, Ecclesiastical Commission on Judiciary Affairs and the Board of World Witness.
Mr. Kidd loved the Lord, his church, the legal profession, his office, chocolate sauce, ice cream, tax deductions, no complications during calving season and making sure his children were up and working at 5:30 a.m. on Saturdays. His devout faith guided him to always “do some good”, and he took pride in his children’s professional accomplishments and their commitment to family. He also loved his “sweet, intelligent and faithful” wife who cared for him, their children and their home for many decades where, as he would say, “Every day is a good day.”
Mr. Kidd is survived by his wife of over 63 years, Roberta Wales Kidd; eight children, Martha Kidd Kelly (Gary ) of Fayetteville, Dr. William Kidd (Denise) of Fayetteville, Thomas Kidd (Teresa) of Lafayette, David Kidd (Luanne) of Fayetteville, Dr. Mary Kidd Barker (Reid) of Atlanta, Ga., Robert Kidd (Helen) of Atlanta, Ga., Dr. Sarah Kidd (Mike Ray) of McKenzie, Deborah Kidd Vear (Kevin) of Atlanta, Ga.; two sisters, Nancy Kidd Hall and Jessie Stewart McFerrin of Fayetteville; 19 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, September 30, at the Fayetteville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. A private burial was in Lebanon Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Fayetteville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church or Gideons International.
You can read the full obituary here.