James Lewis Whitson

On the evening of Thursday, May 17, 2018, James Lewis Whitson, age 80, of Marion, North Carolina passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family. James was born on October 25, 1937 in Mitchell County to the late Holt and Minnie Thomas Whitson.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife of fifty-three years, Betty Ann Bright Whitson.

James was a member of Providence United Methodist Church and a proud United States Marine Veteran. He was one of the founding members of the McDowell County Board of Realtors. He was owner/operator of Whitson Realty since June 1, 1975. James enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting but mostly spending time with his family.

Left behind to cherish James’s memories are his two children, Janice Whitson Waycaster and husband Eugene, and Dennis Whitson and wife Jennifer; two brothers, Reverend Holt Whitson, Jr. and wife Dianne and Reverend Sherrill Whitson and wife Mildred, and James’s partner, Kay Canipe . Also surviving James are six grandsons, Jason, Matthew and Andrew Lewis, Landon, Jacob and Zachary Whitson, and two great-grandchildren, Logan and Karson Lewis.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Providence United Methodist Church.  A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the church with Reverends Holt Whitson, Jr. and Sherrill Whitson officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Marine Corps.