Funeral services for Mr. James T. "Jim" Best will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday November 5, 2010 in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home with Chaplain Ed Baggett and Bro. David Rice officiating. Interment will follow at Algoma Cemetery North. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Thursday November 4, 2010 at the funeral home. Mr. Best passed away November 2, 2010 in Marshall. James T. Best was born on November 3, 1924 in Smead, Calhoun County, Arkansas to Jim Smith Best and Velma Clay Best. He married Maxine Staten Best on November 24, 1955 in Homer, Louisiana. Mr. Best was a welder at Fabsteel in Waskom for almost 30 years and later at Berwind Industries in Scottsville until his retirement in 1989. James served in the US Army from 1943-1946 in the 14th Field Artillery Observation Battalion during WWII. Mr. Best was a member of the R.A. Tompkins Masonic Lodge in Waskom. He was also a member of Scottish Rite and Eastern Star. Surviving James are his wife of 54 years, Maxine S. Best of Marshall; two sons, James T. (Jamie) Best, Jr. and wife Beth of Copperas Cove, TX and John S. Best and wife Shan of Marshall; daughter Suzanne Best Wyman of Marshall; grandchildren, James T. (Jay) Best of Copperas Cove TX, Brendan Wyman , Justin T. Wyman, Shaina Stansbury and Ashley Stansbury all of Marshall; great-granddaughter, Alexa Stansbury of Marshall; two sisters, Bertha Chalfant and husband Ralph of Kerrville, TX and Bernice Nichols and husband Freeman of Forrest City, Ark and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Velma Best and brother and sister- in- law, Bill and Marge Best. Serving as pallbearers are Jay Best, Brendan Wyman, Justin Wyman, Glen Stone, Joe Martino, and Mike Blades. Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of Waskom Masonic Lodge. The family requests memorials be made to Shriners Children's Hospital, Shreveport, La or charity of choice. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Hospice of East Texas, Jessica Hensly, Rhonda Blades and the staff of Marshall Manor and faithful friend, Betty Winn. E-mail condolences may be made to the family at www.downsfuneralhome.com