James "PawPaw Jay" Mahala, Sr.

Jay Mahala, 81, of Morganton, NC died Monday, June 30, 2014. Born in Washington, VA on May 23, 1933, he was the son of the late John Millard Mahala and Minnie Elizabeth Otey Mahala.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters, Rachel Mahala, Ethel Howard; brothers, W.B. Mahala and Johnny Mahala.

Jay is survived by his wife, Marleen Stroup Mahala; sons, Jimmy Mahala, Jesse Mahala, Donnie Mahala, all of VA and Jason Mahala,; daughter, Andrea Haney; step-daughter, Barbara Brown; adopted daughter, Karen Penland; fifteen grandchildren; brothers, Howard Mahala, Walter Mahala, Ernest Mahala, Dewey Mahala all of VA, Millard Mahala of TN and Paul Mahala of PA.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Marvin Wiley officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., Thursday at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that you donate blood or memorial contributions may be made to American Red Cross, Burke County Chapter, 305-A W. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.