James L. Wedgeworth, age 92, years, of Long Branch, Texas, passed away on Tuesday morning, October 21, 2025, in Carthage, Texas. James Lafate Wedgeworth was born on September 11, 1933, in the Snap Community of Panola County, Texas to the late Walter Reese and Grace Florence Bellamy Wedgeworth. He graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1952, and attended Panola College. Mr. Wedgeworth served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955, before being honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal. He married Dorothy Ellen Juergens on September 5, 1959, in Marshall, Texas. Mr. Wedgeworth worked for Texas Eastman over 34 years until his retirement in 1990. He has been active in the cattle business in Panola, Harrison, and Rusk Counties his entire adult life, earning the honor of Producer of the Year for Panola County in 1992. He also had a lifelong passion of raising quarter horses. Mr. Wedgeworth was a member of the Carthage Masonic Lodge #521 and the Sharon Temple Shrine. He was a lifelong member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Wedgeworth was preceded in death by an infant son, Christopher Bryan Wedgeworth; step-mother, Ruby Sue Wedgeworth; and siblings and their spouses, Tracy and Jessie Jo Wedgeworth, Juanita and Bubba Clinton, Joe Dan and Mary Wedgeworth, and Aubrey and Joyce Wedgeworth.

He is survived by his loving devoted wife of 66 years, Dorothy Wedgeworth; sons, James W. "Jamie" Wedgeworth and wife Iris and Keith Wedgeworth and wife Joslyn; grandsons, Noah, Ethan, Slade, Seth, and Sutton Wedgeworth; brother, Grady Bill Wedgeworth and wife Jane; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and nurses of Heart's Way Hospice, especially Alysha Cockerham and Amy Clinton. They would also like to thank their family members, Patsy Waldrop and Donna Harden for always being there for Mr. and Mrs. Wedgeworth when they were needed.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Bethlehem Cemetery with Bro. John Pages officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Honorary pallbearers are Denny Wedgeworth, W.A. Wedgeworth, Jody Wedgeworth, Virgil Wedgeworth, Don Clinton, Jarrod Wedgeworth, David Waldrop, and David Powell.

Memorial donations in lieu of flower offerings may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1050 County Road 108, Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.