Nail, James King 'Jim'

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: NAIL.J002
• Census: 11 May 1940, Clay City Township, Clay County, Illinois; 1940 Census, Clay City (Township), Clay County, Illinois, page 03b

Notes:

While in Clay City, Mr. Nail worked for an oil company until operating a restaurant in Clay City.

He later moved to Kentucky, where he operated a motel. He had received his fifty year member award for the Grand Oklahoma Masons and was also a member of the Skiatook Masonic Lodge #416, and the Clay City Masonic Lodge.

Family/Spouse: Chapman, Sylvia Ida. Sylvia was born on 29 Aug 1912; died on 18 Sep 1994; was buried in Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery, Flora, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married McCracken, Mildred Imogene on 4 Oct 1954. Mildred (daughter of McCracken, James Arthur and Duke, V.L.) was born on 5 Feb 1920 in Clay County, Illinois; died on 25 Oct 1965 in Springs National Park, Garland, Miller County, Arkansas; was buried in Clay City Cemetery, Clay City, Clay County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: NAIL.J003
• _FGRAVE: 195929685
• Military Service: Korean War, United States Army
• Census: 11 May 1940, Clay City Township, Clay County, Illinois; 1940 Census, Clay City (Township), Clay County, Illinois, page 03b
• Burial: 12 Jan 2019, Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery, Flora, Clay County, Illinois
• Funeral: 12 Jan 2019, Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, Clay County, Illinois

Notes:

Jim was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He crossed the country and the globe during his noteworthy lifelong working career, from his earliest work at Pure Oil Company, to Cape Canaveral in the control room of the Apollo 7 mission, and continuing on to an assignment with the Hubble Space Telescope. He later worked in remote parts of the world in offshore drilling as a control engineer. During his semi-retirement he took a position at Sea World in Florida, and eventually returned to Illinois to be closer to family. He was a 32nd degree Mason, member of the Scottish Rite, and a Shriner. Jim took pride in being recognized as a member of the Cherokee Nation, and was of the Christian faith.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: NAIL.S001

Notes:

Sylvia Lea McCrory, age 91, of Flora, Illinois, passed away early Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Flora Rehabilitation & Health Care Center.

She was born April 10, 1932, in Skiatook, Oklahoma, the daughter of James King and Sylvia Ida (Chapman) Nail.

From an early age, Sylvia began helping at her parent’s restaurant in Clay City, and she later worked as a waitress at other local places. Over the years she also worked at Sparton Manufacturing, Mann Shoe Store, and several insurance agencies. She cherished the memories made with her grandkids while watching all of them grow up, and was elated with the arrival of great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, crafting, and rounds of bingo and card games. Both Sylvia and her brother took pride in their lineage as descendants of the Cherokee Nation.

Sylvia is survived by her 3 children, Karen (Mike) Delonshaw of Clay City, Sharon Laswell of Phoenix, Arizona, and Ray (Lois) McCrory of Flora; 4 grandchildren, Christopher (Shanda) McCrory, Bret Laswell, Amy (Charlie) Thornton, and Kayla Laswell; 6 great-grandchildren; and a friend and caregiver, Donna Myers.

She was preceded in passing by her parents and her brother, James “Jim” K. Nail.

A graveside ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to Santa’s Smiles in Flora. Arrangements are by Frank & Bright Funeral Home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com

Family/Spouse: McCrory, C.V.M.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

K. married Delonshaw, M. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Laswell. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ?, L.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]