James Edwin "Jimmy" Motley
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Jimmy Motley, 90 Years a Legend
James Edwin "Jimmy" Motley, 90, of Murrells Inlet passed away peacefully in his home on Sun-day, April 3, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Jimmy served proudly as a heavy equipment mechanic in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. As an active member and
Director of the Omar Vettes Shriner Unit, he could often be seen driving a miniature Corvette in holiday parades throughout the Lowcountry. He was especially proud of his fundraising work for Shriners' Hospitals across the U.S. and on several occasions, visited the hospitals in Greenville, SC and Pigeon Forge, TN.
Jimmy grew up as one of eight children of Wade and Ellen Motley of Columbia, SC. His father taught him the electrical business as a teenager, and he was a Master Electrician in Columbia when he met and married Barbara (now deceased), becoming the father of her two young
children, Pam and "Little Jimmy." They moved to Murrells Inlet in 1973; Jimmy started his
electrical business and Barbara later opened The Sandwich Castle in Garden City. Each morning, Jimmy would put on a big pot of grits at the restaurant, sit with the boat captains and other friends from the inlet, telling jokes over coffee. Then he would go to his electrical work. He was passionate about that work, and he stayed on the job, after several attempts to retire, well into his 80's. Retirement was not his joy, but he rallied to mark a memorable 90th birthday oyster roast celebration recently at the electric shop where he loved "piddlin' around, buildin' and fixin' stuff."
Jimmy Motley never met a stranger, would give you the shirt off his back and he valued being on-time or early to everything from appointments to family meals. He was well known as a man of his word. He said what he meant, meant what he said and did what he said he would do. As a member of the Greatest Generation of Americans, he was a man of integrity, responsibility, and endless generosity. As he did sewer treatment work for Grand Strand Water & Sewer, Jimmy made friends all over Georgetown and Horry counties, and was widely known as the best
electrician around. He was always on call to help someone in need. Jimmy was known for his easygoing personality, his generosity, and his ready smile. He loved to laugh and tell his friends a story, a joke, or a "southern saying" and there were many in his repertoire. He and Barbara were both hard-working, but they loved to socialize with friends, dance and travel. His favorite times were those shared with his family, which continues to grow.
Jimmy is survived by brothers Fred and Mason Motley, both of Columbia; daughter Pamela Talbert (Rhett) and son Jimmy Motley Jr. (Charlene); grandchildren Christiane Mills, all of
Murrells Inlet; Kira Shipley (Bill) of Charleston; Jason Motley and Jacob Motley (Brianne), Chet Floyd and Caroline Floyd, all of Murrells Inlet; Callie and Katie Talbert of Oregon; and Ansel Talbert (Englund) and Andrew Talbert (Bethany) of Greensboro, NC. Children were the great joy of his life and he loved to be in the company of his great-grandchildren, bouncing babies on his knee. They are (in alphabetical order) Addie, Afton, Angus, Aran, Arana, Casper, Clover, Forrest, Hadley, James, Jessa, Kingsley, Langston, Riley, and Saiorse.
The family will receive visitors at Belin United Methodist Church this Saturday, April 9, at 10:00 AM, with the memorial service to follow at 11:00 A.M. in the sanctuary, over looking the Inlet he loved. Memorial gifts in honor of James E. Motley may be made to the Greenville Shriners' Children's Hospital at lovetotherescue.org, or by mail to Shriners' Children's Hospital
950 West Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605.