James B. Highsmith July 19, 2010

Trustee James Benjamin Highsmith Sr., son of the late Edward and Hattie Bell Highsmith was born in Wayne County on March 5, 1934 and departed this life on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 11:20 A.M. at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Goldsboro, North Carolina.

A memorial service will be held Friday, July 23, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Saint Mark Free Will Baptist Church, 222 Nelson Street in Mount Olive.

He was reared and educated in Mt. Olive, N.C. He relocated to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1959 and worked for Motorola Distributions. Upon his retirement he returned to Mt. Olive, N.C. and worked for Boling Chair Company and the Mt.Olive Housing Authority.

He was a devoted and faithful member of St. Mark Free Will Baptist Church and served as Chairman of the Trustee Board. He also taught the Adult class in Sunday School and sung in the choir. He was a member of the Silver Link Lodge #125 and served as the Worthy Patron to the Eastern Stars until his health declined.

Those left to cherish his loving memories are his children: Valdear Highsmith and Kelly Highsmith of Abington, PA; Michelle Highsmith, James B. Highsmith Jr. and Tia Highsmith of Philadelphia, PA; Sophia Highsmith of Greensboro, NC and his baby girl, Patricia Highsmith of Mt.Olive, NC and their mother, Phoebe Highsmith of Mt. Olive; sisters: Delores D. Kennedy, Mt.Olive, NC, Elaine Bethea, Jacksonville, Florida, Jacqueline (Nelson) Mc Clarin, Pikeville, NC, and Diane (Winston) Hines, Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren: Indiah Johnson, Autumn Johnson, Chakhi Rodney, Mila Darby of Philadelphia, PA and Eniya Smith of Mt.Olive; a special nephew, Orlando Jones, Jr. and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

The family is being served by Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.