James Barrett

Waynesville, NC- Surrounded by those who loved him, Dr. James Sherer Barrett, of 134 Augusta Circle, died peacefully at home Wednesday, June 20, after a heroic battle with cancer. He was 73. A native of York County, S.C., he was the son of the late Woodman and Willa Nesbitt Barrett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the beloved great uncle and aunt who raised him, James and Etta Sherer; and a half -brother, Bill Barrett. He is survived by his best friend, golf partner and wife of 52 years, Mason Moore Barrett; children, Alex Barrett and his wife Pam of Greensboro; Rob Barrett of Spartanburg, SC; and Ginny Barrett Patten and her husband, Don, of Lake Junaluska; grandchildren, Philip Sherer Barrett and Paul Mason Barrett of Greensboro; Robert Mason Barrett Jr., Alexander McQuary Barrett, and William Hudson Barrett of Spartanburg; James Hunter Patten, Sara Grace Elizabeth Patten, and Emily Margaret Patten of Lake Junaluska ; a sister, Jane Burrell, of Clover, SC; half-sisters Kathy Greene, Elaine Cornwell, Mary Jo Hall, and Sandra Barrett; a half-brother, Douglas Barrett; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Jim will also be deeply missed by his large circle of caring friends, whose love and support provided great comfort to him and his family during his illness. A website established to keep loved ones updated about his condition received over 11, 000 visits. Each message, letter, card and call was cherished and appreciated. Jim was a graduate of Wofford College and Candler School of Theology of Emory University. He held honorary doctorates from Wofford College, DePauw University, Claflin College, Westmar College, and Kentucky Wesleyan College. His career in United Methodist parish ministry, higher education, and community foundation work spanned over 40 years. As a young minister he served churches in Lancaster and Honea Path, SC. In 1966, he was assigned to Spartanburg Methodist College where he served for 10 years as instructor, chaplain, dean and president. He served as senior minister at Washington Street United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC. In 1977, he was named chief higher education officer of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, TN. From 1981 to 1984, Jim served as president of Greensboro College. In 1984, the Barretts returned to Spartanburg, where he accepted a senior staff position at Wofford College. For 12 years prior to his retirement in 1997, Jim served as president of the Spartanburg County Foundation. Jim was active in every community in which he lived, and received numerous honors and awards. Since moving to the mountains of Haywood County, NC, he was involved with Haywood Christian Ministries and served on the board of the Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation. He was a devoted student and fan of the game of golf. Among the many highlights of his golf career were achieving two holes-in-one, and winning the 2006 Governor's Cup at the Waynesville Country Club. Also in 2006, he and Mason won the "Ball and Chain" couples championship of the Waynesville Golf Club. Graveside services will be held Saturday at noon at Rose Hill Cemetery, York, SC, followed by a 5 p.m. memorial service at Central United Methodist Church, Spartanburg, SC. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the memorial service. The family requests memorial gifts be made to Wofford College, Spartanburg Methodist College, Hospice at Haywood Regional Medical Center, or Haywood Christian Ministries. "People who give themselves to relational greatness-people who have deep friends whom they laugh with and cry with, with whom they learn together, with whom they fight and forgive, with whom they dance and grow and live and die-these are the human beings who lead magnificent lives." - John Ortberg

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