James Joseph Sexton

WEAVERVILLE – James Joseph Sexton, age 93, of Weaverville went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 23, 2025.

James was born April 8, 1932, in Morristown, Tennessee to the late James Harrison and Lula Gillespie Sexton. He was the fifth child among nine siblings. During his early life, James was an adventurous child with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. His family moved frequently during his childhood, going as far as Baltimore, MD, but his home was always the mountains of North Carolina. He met his beloved bride, the late Betty Sexton, when they lived in Enka, NC. Betty “picked him out” and he never looked back. They were married in August of 1950.

They began a family and welcomed their first daughter, Phyllis, the following year. By 1953, the family welcomed their second daughter, Pamela, and James was working for Wilson Tree Company, which would become his career for the next 40 years. James loved trees his whole life and would tell stories of climbing trees to watch a favorite pastime, car racing, at Hickory Speedway in Hickory, NC, where the family lived for most of the ‘50’s and 60’s. In 1957, the family welcomed James’ only son, Timothy. In 1965, daughter, Julie, would complete the family.

James and Betty moved to Asheville, NC where they would spend the next 25 years. These years were spent working and enjoying their growing family as grandchildren arrived. They made their last move to Weaverville, NC, where James would become an active member of the community and had a second career as a school bus driver for Buncombe County Schools. He finally retired at age 75 and enjoyed spending time with his wife at their second home in Holden Beach, NC. After his wife’s passing, James became a lively member of the Senior Wellness Program at First Baptist Church, Weaverville, where he enjoyed making new friends and hearing and telling stories.

Family was an enduring joy for James throughout his life. He was forever proud of his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He never let a day pass without expressing his love and admiration for them.

Those left behind to cherish his vibrant memory are his children Phyllis Stowe (husband Billy) of Weaverville, NC, Pamela McCurry (husband Art) of Greenville SC, Timothy Sexton (wife Tammie) of Shallotte, NC; and Julie Eggers (husband Don) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; grandchildren, Jeremy Stowe (wife Deanne, children Zachary (fiancée Skylar), Elizabeth, and Meredith), Bridget Gossett (husband Dan, children Emily and Tyler), Jamie Sexton, Nicholas Stowe (wife Jaime, children Jacob and Megan), Rachel Houck (husband Jason, children Piper and Dylan), Michael Lee (wife Deana, children James and Thomas), Hillary Shockley (husband Leland, child Samson) and Christopher Sexton (fiancée Leah).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am, Thursday May 29, 2025, at Weaverville United Methodist Church, 85 N. Main Street, Weaverville, with Rev. Richard Blount officiating. Burial will follow in West Memorial Park, 40 Roberts Street, Weaverville, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife of 72 years.

The family will receive friends from 9:30am to 10:45am on Thursday, May 29, 2025, prior to the funeral service at the church. Flowers are appreciated and memorial donations may be made to the Senior Wellness Program, First Baptist Church, Weaverville. Condolences may be offered to the family under his obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.