James Grant

A. James (Jim) Grant, 69, passed away peacefully at the Woltz Hospice Home in Surry County on October 19, 2012. Jim was born on February 9, 1943 in Swain County to Arnold Sam and Virgie Lee McMahan Grant. Jim graduated from Enka High School in Candler, NC and attended Mars Hill College. After a successful career in sales, Jim retired in 1986. A Yadkin County resident since 1968, Jim will be remembered as a theater enthusiast, generous neighbor, excellent cook, entertaining golfer, avid reader and the man who knew every verse of every hymn ever written. He was a loving father and devoted husband. Jim loved theater. His work as an actor with the Yadkin Players gave him great pleasure and established a network of fellow performers and technicians who became his great friends. He is best remembered for his performance as Tevye in Fiddler on a Roof with the Foothills Theater in Elkin. He directed theater productions at Elkin and Forbush High Schools helping students understand the power and pleasure that theater can be. He performed for elementary students in Yadkin and Forsyth Counties bringing literature and characters to life in stories and songs. Jim was community minded and loved his neighbors. He visited his friends regularly bringing summer vegetables or winter soups and sharing stories or songs for hours. Stories of his early days in the mountains of western North Carolina or tales from the last book he read could fill an afternoon with cheer and warmth. He taught many young people in the community about the joys of making canned tomatoes and strawberry jam. For more than 25 years, he worked with his daughter and friends in the community to prepare and light luminaries along West Main Street on Christmas Eve. He loved the feeling of community that radiated as the group prepared each small lantern and lit them just before dusk preparing for the coming of the Christ Child. Jim was a member of Yadkinville Methodist Church where he sang a rowdy bass in the Chancel Choir. One of his great joys came singing hymns of hope and promise that made the congregation tap their toes as they listened. Jim leaves behind Patty Poindexter Grant, his wife of 30 years, and Jessica, his beloved daughter. Jim's sense of humor and love for performing live in her, facts that pleased him greatly. In addition, he is survived by sister, Barbara Grant Benedict (Bill); sister in law, Dianna Duncan Grant; three nieces, Tammy Blankenship (Larry), Barbie Jones (Frankie), and Lisa Lanning. He leaves two nephews, Michael Grant and Randy Hannah. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jerry Grant; and niece, Cassey Grant. Jim was blessed with a sister and brother in law, Janet and John Hutchens and their daughter, Emma. The Hutchens family shared his love of reading, his passion for theater, his joy in singing and a sincere appreciation for family traditions. Jim also leaves many dear friends who made his life rich: David Sentelle; Alfred Leatherman; Robert and Catherine Fleming; Sandy, Nicole, Wendy and Doug Steele; Randy, Cathy, Erin and Matt Hughes. These and other friends have provided loving care and quiet support in ways that mattered so much. A memorial service will be held at Yadkinville Methodist Church at 7:00 pm on Saturday evening, October 27. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice (401 Technology Lane - Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030) or the Yadkin County Library (233 East Main Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055). Online condolences can be made at www.gentryfuneralservices.com. (Gentry Family Funeral Home in Yadkinville)