Franklin James

Franklin Dewitt James, age 80, of Ratcliffe Cove Road, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at The Homestead. A native of Haywood County, he was a son of the late Benjamin and Monty McCracken James. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Coe, Elizabeth Davis, and Ellen Clark; one brother, David James; and a grandson, Brent James. Franklin enjoyed farming and camping. He dearly loved his family, grandchildren and their sports. Franklin retired from Dayco International with 34 years of service and was of the Baptist faith. He was a United States Army veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Hester Duncan James; a daughter, Susie James (Doug Wyatt) of Waynesville; two sons, Marvin Dewitt James (Marsha) of Acworth, Georgia, and Charlie James (Audrey), of Hendersonville; two sisters, Stella Sanford (Farrell), and Sue Baldwin, all of Waynesville; one brother, Karlisle James of Crabtree; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Cronin, David Bustle, Sarah James, Ashley Newcomer, Mariah James, Chris and Brittany Ashe; and three great-grandchildren, Rylee Bustle, Hayley Oliver, and Brent Newcomer. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Bobby Downs and Reverend Alan Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Upper Crabtree Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Chris Ashe, Reid Hendricks, Alan James, Adrian Presnell, Raymond Munoz, and Brandon James. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Newcomer, Zach Gibbs, Ray and Steve Clark, William James, Doug Wyatt, Kirk Kirkpatrick, and Frank Smart. Memorials may be made to Upper Crabtree Community Cemetery Fund, 537 Bald Creek Road, Clyde, NC 28721 or to MedWest Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.

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