James Best

Waynesville, James Autry Best, age 71, of 154 Sanctuary Drive, died on March 16, 2009 at his residence. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Willard Pinkney and Edith Smart Best. He was a milkman employed by Pet Dairy and Biltmore Dairy for 40 plus years retiring in 2000. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and collecting lures. He attended Crabtree Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty Rhodes Best; one daughter, Kathie Carter and her husband, Linwood, of Waynesville; one sister, Doris West and her husband, Jim, of Clyde; one grandson, Robert Joseph "Joe" McGimsey and his wife, Audrey, of Weaverville; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Gene King officiating. Burial will follow at Dawn Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to services, and at other times, at the residence. Flowers are appreciated and memorials may be made to Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.

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