James Bryson

Waynesville, Mr. James Grover Bryson passed away on Friday, May 9, 2014 after a brief stay at the Homestead, a few weeks short of his 100th birthday. Grover was born on July 21, 1914, the son of the late William Theodore and Lou Ellen (Lula) Murray Bryson of the Iron Duff Community. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lois Justice Bryson who died in 2001 and siblings, May Yarbrough, Pearl McClure, Mary Ferguson, Bernice Chambers, Manilla Yarbrough and infant sister, Lavilla Bryson. He was the third generation farmer of the family farm in Iron Duff. He continued to drive his truck and tractor until his mid-nineties, and then enjoyed watching the farm activities from his living room window until his death. He was named Farm Family in 1999 by the Farm Bureau, then received the outstanding Conservation Farm Family in 1999 by Haywood County Soil and Water Conservation, and accepted the Bryson Farm's award for the "River-Friendly Farmer" for outstanding accomplishment in protecting water quality in Western North Carolina. He derived much pleasure in spending time with his grandsons and teaching them all the skills of life on a farm. He was a great inspiration to them, both on and off the farm. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2014 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Brian Justice officiating. Receiving of friends will be from 2:30 p.m. until service time. Mr. Bryson joined Antioch Church as a young boy, and it is there his burial will be held. Serving as pallbearers will be Phillip Chambers, Terry Haney, Mike Pope, Ted Chambers, Brian Bishopnd Kenny Duckett. He is survived by a son, Edwin Bryson (Jackie) of Asheville; one daughter, Carolyn B. Jordan of Waynesville; three grandsons Kent Jordan (Millicent) of Forest Hill, Maryland, Boyd Jordan of Anchorage, Alaska, and Donald Bryson (Joyce) of Waynesville; two great grandsons, Robert and Colton Bryson: two step-grandchildren, Cynthia Roberson (Russ)of Weaverville, and Mike Pope (Leisa) of South Carolina; and five step-great grandchildren. His devoted caretakers, Syretta Bishop, Louise Chambers, Missy Mehaffey and Betty Jo Ruff were also like family to Mr. Bryson. Memorials may be made to the Crabtree/Iron Duff Fire Department, 99 Susie Noland Road, Clyde, NC 28721.

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