Betty James

Waynesville, Betty Anne Franklin James, 81, passed away on July 8, 2015 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center. Betty was born on July 20, 1933 in Haywood County. She was the daughter of the late George Wiley and Maria West Franklin. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Walter Lee James and four brothers, James, Richard, Paul and infant Robert. A 1951 graduate of Waynesville Township High School, she later attended UNC-Greensboro. She began her career in the Purchasing Department of the Dayton Rubber Company where she worked from 1952 until 1955. She later worked for the first two presidents of Haywood Community College, retiring in 1986 with twenty years of service. Betty married Walter Lee James in August 1953 and for the fifteen years following her retirement, she and Walter enjoyed traveling in their RV until his death in 2004. They also operated an apple orchard for forty-two years. She attended and was a charter member of Francis Cove United Methodist Church where she served as pianist and organist for sixty years. Since 1972, she served as secretary of the Francis Cove UMW, served on the Finance Committee and was secretary of the Sunday School. In her own words, Betty is survived by her two wonderful children, son, Daniel Lee James and his wife, Vicki, and her daughter Paula Anne James Bostic and her husband, Mike; grandchildren, Justin and Alyson James and step-grandson, Ryan Bostic; great-grandson, Waylon Reno; step great-grandsons, Steel Markert and Silas Bostic; her sister, Mary "Peg" Deitz; and sister-in-law, Cleta Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at Francis Cove United Methodist Church with Reverend Hugh Russell and Reverend Melissa Lowe officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. Memorials may be made to Francis Cove United Methodist Church, 2530 Crymes Cove Road, Waynesville, NC 28786.

Previous Events