SYLACAUGA, Ala. — Rev. James Temple, 76, died June 10, 2026, at his residence. 

A celebration of life will be at 12 p.m. Tuesday, at Reaching The World Bible Church, with the Rev. Henry Looney officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Community Funeral Home of Sylacauga is in charge of arrangements. 

Rev. Temple was born on October 15, 1949, to the late Berry Temple and Nancy Jenkins. He attended Rust College. He was formally employed as a ball warper at Avondale Mills, as associate pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church and as Pastor at Unity Baptist Church. He was a member of Reaching The Word Bible Church. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Temple; and sister, Cynthia Harris.

He is survived by his daughters, Shirley Temple Weaver of Sylacauga and Virginia Temple of Huntsville, Alabama; sons, Marty Smith of Houson, Texas, Chancy Temple and Issac Reed, both of Sylacauga; brother, Tommy Jamison of Columbus; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.