James passed away peacefully at home with family on Sat., Feb. 4, 2017 in Sanford, NC after battling Parkinson’s disease.

James (Jimmy) Womble was born in the Deep River community of Lee County in 1934 to Mema Thomas and Whitney Gordon Womble, where he lived and graduated from Deep River School. He was involved with various athletics growing up, playing high school basketball and baseball, as well as both sports at Louisburg College. Following college and after basic training, he was in the Army Reserves for six years. With an undergraduate teaching degree from Louisburg College and East Carolina University, and later a master’s degree from NC State, James taught school at Cameron High School, Greenwood, and then for thirty years at Sanford Central/Lee Senior High School. He taught Biology, Driver’s Ed, and Vocational Education, as well as coached women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church – served as a deacon, participated in various committees, played church softball, and was involved in the Brotherhood Sunday School class. He was an active Civitan and Master Gardener for many years. He loved his pop up camper and took many family camping trips around the southeast. His wife and all of his daughters and granddaughters will cherish the memories of the many trips to Disney World, Williamsburg, and to the various Army posts in the US. Other significant interests for James included a farm in Deep River near his boyhood home, gardening, and attending his beloved Wolfpack athletic events.

After retirement from teaching in 1989, James was involved in the real estate field, eventually helping to establish Womble & Company. He and his wife enjoyed traveling around the country with senior bus tour groups as well as family trips. Golf was another pastime he enjoyed in retirement, playing the local courses with friends.

James spent his lifetime serving God and others by various ways of giving – whether it was delivering a container of his homemade soup, or just sharing his heart-warming smile. During his 30+ years of teaching and coaching, he was able to mentor to thousands of students. He donated over twelve gallons of blood for the Red Cross. Many will remember him dressed as Santa, because for nearly 30 years – until Christmas 2016, James delivered Christmas treats to many family members and special friends. Another demonstration of how serving others brought him so much joy.

James is survived by his wife of 58 years - Ann Noe Womble, daughters Rebecca Carpenter (Rob) and Sara Gladden (David), and four granddaughters – Hannah, Samantha, and Sadie Gladden and Kat Carpenter. Also surviving Jimmy is his brother Clyde Womble (Betty), as well as many nieces and nephews.

His mother, father, and five siblings predeceased him: Viola Westmoreland, Clarence Womble, Maggie Cole, Mary Alice Wilkie, Christine Herndon, and Ed Sloan who was like a brother.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research @ michaeljfox.org  or First Baptist Church of Sanford, 202 Summit Dr., Sanford, NC 27330. Our family would like to acknowledge the very compassionate personal caregivers, as well as the loving and professional care of everyone at Community Home Care & Hospice, who have all become like family.

Burial will be at 11:30 AM on Monday, February 6, 2017 at the Flat Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in the Deep River community.

A service celebrating his life will be held in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive visitors in the fellowship hall after the service.

 Service Information