Jim Blake Lloyd

Mr. Jim Blake Lloyd, 85, of Elberton, husband of the late Martha Sue Hayes Lloyd for 62 years, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Arbor Terrace of Athens.

Jim was born in Gale, Upshur County, West Virginia. Following his parents’ divorce he was raised by his maternal grandparents, the late Ira B. and Verma Hornbeck Coberly, in Elkins, WV.  At Elkins High School, he played football, basketball, and track as well as meeting the girl of his dreams, Martha Sue Hayes.  His senior year, the high school basketball team had a record of 23-3 while averaging 72 points per game and keeping their opponents to an average of 58 points per game. Jim was named Honorable Mention All-State Team. This team was later inducted into the Randolph County Secondary Schools Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.  

After Jim graduated Elkins High School in 1956, he went to Davis and Elkins College (D&E) also in Elkins, WV.  While there he continued to play varsity basketball (lettered) and became a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Jim was very active on campus holding several offices in various clubs including the Engineering Society, English Honorary, and Golden Circle Honorary Societies.  He was also the Senior Class President, Senior Editor of the Senatus Yearbook, and President of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity and the Inter-Fraternity Council in 1961.  While in college, Jim realized that Martha was the one and they eloped in January 1960.  Jim graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

Jim went to work as a civil engineer with the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE), Pittsburgh District in July 1961, shortly after the birth of his older daughter, Vicky. He worked on projects along the Ohio River which led to relocations to Fairmont, and New Martinsville, WV.  During this time, a son, Tony, and another daughter, Marsue, were welcomed with love into the family.  Jim obtained his Professional Engineering license in West Virginia, Ohio, and Georgia.  He was the Resident Engineer (Chief of the entire project) on the Hannibal Locks & Dam until 1973.  He was recognized for his performance and selected as the Resident Engineer on the Smithland Locks & Dam near Paducah, KY.  In 1976, he was selected as the Resident Engineer for Richard B. Russell Dam, Lake, and Powerhouse on the Savannah River with Savannah District of the COE.  He served in this position until the Dam, Lake, and Powerhouse were nearly complete, before embarking on a second career with the Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA) in 1982.

While at SEPA, he served on several committees and organizations in the Electrical Industry, whose collective primary purpose was to protect and enhance the reliability of the electrical system of North America.  Jim retired from SEPA in 2004 and was recognized with the conferring of the DOE Distinguished Career Service Award by the Secretary of Energy.  Jim was recognized for providing exceptional performance in combined Federal Service for over forty-two years.

Jim had a lifelong commitment to public and community service.  He was a past Chairman of Elberton Federal Savings and Loan Association (now Oconee State Bank) as well as Elbert Memorial Hospital Authority.  Jim also served as past President for the following organizations: Elberton Rotary Club, Elbert County Historical Society, the Elbert County Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Elberton.

Jim never forgot his roots.  He attended many high school reunions and organized their 50^th Class Reunion celebration.  He was a member of the 1904 Society at D&E and continued to be faithful in support of the D&E annual giving campaign.  Jim was recognized as A Distinguished Alumnus by Davis & Elkins College in 2011.

Mr. Lloyd is survived by his three children: Vicky Lloyd Stanley (Glenn) of Madison, AL; Tony Lloyd (Hollie) of Thomasville, GA; and Marsue Lloyd of Elberton, GA; three grandchildren: Sierra Lloyd of Portland, OR, Blake Stanley of Madison, AL, and Drew Lloyd of Atlanta, GA, and brother Stephen Showalter (Debbie) of Ripplemead, VA.   He is preceded in death by his wife, Martha; parents, James Forrest Lloyd and Lois Evelene Coberly Showalter; step-father, Eric H. Showalter; grandparents, Ira and Verma Hornbeck Coberly; and brothers, Joe Ronald Lloyd and Zane Allen Lloyd.

The family will greet friends on Thursday, October 12, from 5:00-7:00p.m. at Berry Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 13, at 11:00a.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with the Rev. Gary Purvis officiating. Entombment will follow in the Forest Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in his memory to First Baptist Church of Elberton Ramp Ministry, 132 Heard Street, Elberton, GA 30635 or to Rotary Foundation Endowment for World Understanding and Peace, c/o Elberton Rotary Club, PO Box 429, Elberton, Georgia 30635; please note on the memo line "Jim Lloyd."

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Jim Blake Lloyd.