James Michael Womble

Mr. James Michael "Mickey" Womble, age 64, of Rome, GA passed away on Thursday March 2, 2017.

Mickey was born in Colquitt, Georgia on July 23, 1952, son of Inez Holt Womble and the late Charlie "Johnny" Womble, Sr. In 1970 Mickey graduated from Miller County High School where he was involved in numerous sports and student activities. Among many of his high school achievements he was quarterback and captain of the Varsity football team. He continued his education, earning a BA from Georgia Southern College and an MBA in Accounting from Georgia State University by 1977. He later graduated from Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Throughout his life he achieved numerous accomplishments in the accounting, banking and building industries. In 1974 he began his accounting career at First National Bank Atlanta and then joined Grant Thornton CPA as a senior accountant specializing in banks. In 1979 he partnered in forming Womble Jackson Gunn CPA firm, where he specialized in community banking services. After the firm sold in 1988 Mickey served as CEO and President of First National Bank of Paulding County. He established his successful banking career through several years there and managed FNB through an acquisition with FNB Bancorp in 1992 and subsequently Regions Bank in 1996. Mickey served as Area Chairman of the Advisory Board for Regions until leaving to lead the organization of the charter bank, First National Bank West Metro in Paulding County. He served as Chairman of the Board and CEO of FNB West Metro for several years. In 2005, he negotiated the sale of FNB West Metro to First Horizon National Corporation.

Mickey also established his construction and real estate development career by organizing Southlife Homes, Inc., Southlife Realty, Inc., Southlife Properties, Inc., and Southlife Grading, Inc. in 1992. He built residential homes and developed over 30 residential communities in Paulding, Cobb, Cherokee, and South Fulton counties until its subsequent sale to Morrison Homes in 2000. Southlife Homes, LLC was established in 2008 and continues building residential homes in and around the metro Atlanta area to date.

A dedicated civic leader, Mickey served as Past President of the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Rotary Club, and three time Past President of the Paulding County Builders Association. He also served as a member of the Paulding County Airport Authority, Paulding County Industrial Development Authority, Paulding County Hospital Authority and Paulding County Arts Council. In 2002 Mickey was named Paulding County Business Leader of the Year. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Rome.

Mickey was also an avid golfer, pilot, hunter, Arabian horse breeder, cattle farmer, and guitarist. He had a deep love for his family and often spent time with his son hiking, hunting, golfing, and fishing. He shared an enthusiasm with his daughter for Arabian horses and enjoyed many years with her breeding and showing them successfully at the regional and national levels.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Dee Dee Womble, Rome; daughter, Sarah Beth Womble, Rome; son, Benjamin Womble, Rome; sister, Tricia Marshall (Tom), Albany, GA; brother, Charlie Womble (Genie), Savannah, GA. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. James Michael "Mickey" Womble will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday March 5, 2017 at Flat Creek Baptist Church, 1616 Three Notch Road, Blakely, GA 39823, with Rev. Cory Thomas and Rev. Robert Johns officiating. Interment will follow at Flat Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Bill Carruth, Chuck Clancy, Rocky Duncan, Matt Echols, Ben Jackson, Chip Pearson, Glenn Richardson, Danny Shepard, Eric Strickland, Robert Strickland, Robb Willis and Steven Wilson.

The family respectfully asks in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the following:

American Cancer Society
PO Box 22478
Oklahoma City, OK 73123

NW Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America
P. O. Box 1422
Rome GA 30162

Arabian Horsemen's Distress Fund
236 Henry Sanford Road
Bridgewater, CT 06752

Please visit our website at www.salmonfuneralhome.com to view tributes and post memories for the family of Mr. Womble.

The staff of Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. James Michael "Mickey" Womble.