James Darby

Maggie Valley-James Edward McCarley Darby, age 67, of 47 Friar Tuck Lane, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2005 at his residence. He was born in Cobb County, Georgia and had resided in Haywood County since 1977. He was the son of the late Harold and Sarah Frances Ellers Darby. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his birth father, James E. McCarley. He was a graduate of Sprayberry High School in Marietta, GA and attended Georgia Tech. He also served in the National Guard. Throughout most of his career, he was employed in the printing business and was formerly employed at Darby Maddox Printing Company of Marietta, GA and was a current employee of Old Style Printing Company of Waynesville. Jim was an avid sports fan and had coached baseball and football for many years. His greatest virtue was his patience in coaching young athletes. In his years of coaching, he enjoyed two undefeated seasons in baseball. He also had a strong intellect and could converse with anyone on any subject. His granddaughters were a great source of pride in his life. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marinda McElroy Darby; one son, James E. "Jim" Darby, Jr. and his wife, Anita Francis Darby, of Candler; two sisters, Patricia Thompson and her husband, Fred, of Mansfield, GA and Karen Pitts and her husband, Loren, of Marietta, GA; and two granddaughters, Anna Katherine and Alexandra Kristine Darby. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 on Friday, December 23, 2005 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Dan Lyons officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday morning prior to the services from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers will be Rick Kirkpatrick, Eddie Caldwell, Charles Allison, John Brodhage, Scott Valentine, and Rick Mahoney. Memorials may be made to Montmorenci United Methodist Church Daycare, P.O. Box 610, Candler, NC 28715.

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