Edith James

Clyde, Edith Frances Smith James, age 80, of 64 Hills of Home Drive, died on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at her residence. A native and life-long resident of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Harrison Benjamin and Tennie Mae Russell Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Anthony Dale James; three sisters, Zora Haynes, Grace Haney, and Ola Trantham; three brothers, Hugh, Willie, and J.D. Smith. Edith helped her husband farm for 14 years, worked at Wellco Shoe Corporation for 7 years, and was a custodian for Haywood County Schools for 23 years, retiring in 1991. After her retirement, she tutored students at Crabtree School. She became a member of James Chapel Baptist Church at age 13 and served as youth teacher and youth choir director. Edith helped with Vacation Bible School since 1945 and never missed a one. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Karlisle B. James; two sons, William James and his wife, Anna, and Alan James and his wife, Elizabeth, all of Clyde; three sisters, Ruth Hannah of Georgia, Dorotha Clark of Clyde, and Shirley Dowdle of Hendersonville; one brother Earl Smith, of Clyde; seven grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at James Chapel Baptist Church with Reverend Thad Dowdle, Reverend Billy Ferguson, and Reverend Mark Golden officiating. Burial will follow at Upper Crabtree Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. on Saturday at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to James Chapel Baptist Church, 94 James Chapel Road, Clyde, NC 28721; Crabtree/Iron Duff First Responders, 99 Susie Noland Road, Clyde, NC 28721; or Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.

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