James Britt Hemphill

On the evening of February 01, 2020, Mr. James Britt Hemphill, age 91 of Marion and formerly of Brevard, departed from this world to be home with his Lord and Savior at Mountain Ridge Health and Wellness Center in Black Mountain. The son of the late George H. and Effie Queen Hemphill, he was born on April 27, 1928 in the Montford Cove Community of Rutherford County.

James attended R-S Central High School and graduated class of 1947. Following high school, he continued his studies at Blanton’s Business College and was a proud alumnus of Clemson University, where he majored in Civil Engineering. During the Korean War, James felt the calling to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Air Force, which he did with great honor and pride. In 1950, James found the love of his life, his late wife Beatrice Harris Hemphill, with whom he spent 66 love filled years, before her passing in 2016. James and Beatrice made their home in Brevard, North Carolina for most of their adult life.

He was a member of the Lion’s Club, Kiwanis Club, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Brevard where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and director of Senior High Sunday School Department for 13 years, and was the founder of “The Wrecking Crew,” a group of men from the church who did home repairs for those in need. He was retired from the North Carolina State Highway Department, and helped construct I-26 during his career. In their later years, James and Beatrice relocated their home to Marion where they joined the First Baptist Church of Marion. In his spare time, James enjoyed gardening, woodworking, rabbit hunting, traveling, amateur photography; and college sports, always rooting for his Clemson Tigers.

In addition to James’ parents he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Beatrice Harris Hemphill, as well as all fifteen of his siblings.

Left to cherish James’ precious love filled memories are his beloved nieces and nephews.

A funeral service to celebrate James’ life and homegoing will be held on Friday, February 07, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Marion with Dr. Scott Hagaman officiating. Interment will follow at Montford Cove Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Air Force. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., prior to the service, at the church.

Flowers are accepted and appreciated, however, those wishing to make a memorial donation in James’ memory are asked to consider, Montford Cove Baptist Church Cemetery Maintenance Fund, 4920 Cove Road, Union Mills, North Carolina 28167.