James Arthur Lightfoot "Sonny" was the twelfth, youngest and last surviving child of John Jackson Lightfoot and Nettie Cooper Lightfoot.
He was born on January 25th, 1930 in Scottsville, VA. He was called Sonny because of his sunny and vibrant personality. He always had a smile. He attended Dunbar Elementary school and Graduated from S. C. Abrams High School in 1949.

He enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 1st Battalion Combat Unit during the Korean War. Afterwards he became a member of the US Army Reserves where he served until 1959. After active military service he attended New York School of Technology where he concentrated in electronics. He went on to work for the New York City Transit Authority from 1961 to 1982 until he retired.

As a young man he became a world traveler to such places as Spain, Japan and Puerto Rico. He was an avid jazz enthusiast. You could always hear the music coming from wherever he lived - his collection of albums will attest to that. Sonny was a great family man always willing to help out his brothers and sisters and his nieces and nephews.

After retirement he returned to his birthplace in Scottsville, VA where he continued to be a loving and caring family man by taking care of his older brother and sister until their death. He was always willing to pitch in and help his neighbors. In addition he was also a member of the American Legion Post 74, Inc.

He is survived by nieces Joan Boyd Gipson, Peggy Smith Godette, Carol Carpenter, Alisha Godette, Christina Smith and Michelle Boyd Wright, nephews Thomas and John Smith and Torrey Payne as well as many grand and great grand nieces, nephews and a host of cousins. He was predeceased by his parents John and Nettie Lightfoot, brothers, Harry, Oscar, Roy, Curtis and John Henry and sisters Aneva, Leona, Audrey, Malinda, Annie and Haru and nephews Albert and William Green, James Boyd Jr., Travis Payne and Joshua Smith.

A memorial service is being planed for later. Fork Union Chapel.