James Henry Fisher

James Henry Fisher, 74, of Cullowhee, NC died at home March 8, 2018 from renal failure. His parents, William Hilliard Fisher and Julia Mae Corn Fisher; and his sister, Martha Fisher Jenkins, preceded him in death. Jim is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diana Tweed Fisher. Also surviving are two sons Ryan Fisher of Sylva, NC and wife, Katrina Sherrill Fisher; Jared Fisher of Charleston, SC and wife Sandrine Danielson. He had three grandchildren, Abby, Gabriel and Olivia. Born in Buncombe County, NC on January 25, 1944, Jim grew up in Asheville, NC. He moved to Cullowhee, NC in 1967 to begin the high school band program for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians school system. He graduated from Mars Hill College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and received his Master of Music Education from Western Carolina University. Jim was a public school teacher for 37 years. He taught instrumental music in Burke County, Cherokee, and Macon County. He served as minister of music for First Baptist Church of Franklin, NC and First Baptist Church of Sylva, NC where he was a member, former deacon, and member of the choir. Playing bass in bluegrass and traditional string bands was a favorite pastime. Jim played with the Fisher Family Band, the Fiddlin' Dills Sisters, the Cullowhee Valley Boys, and the Pirates of the Tuckasegee. He also loved listening to and singing southern gospel music. Vacations were spent boating, fishing, camping and traveling with his family. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 24 at First Baptist Church, Sylva, NC, 669 W. Main St., Sylva, NC. The service will be officiated by Rev. Jeff Mathis and Rev. Ed Beddingfield. The family will receive friends in the Mission Fellowship Center following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 669 W. Main St., Sylva, NC 28779. . .