James Stedman Mitchell

James Stedman Mitchell, 101, of Cullowhee passed away peacefully on Saturday June 17th at Morning Star Assisted Living in Jackson County. He was born in Walnut Cove, NC on April 4th, 1916. Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jane Harris Mitchell; his daughters Susan Thrower of Asheville, NC and Frances Mincey (Jim) of Cullowhee, NC; grandchildren Valerie Moss (Dan) of Hillsboro, NC and Mitchell Mincey (Mary Beth) of Cullowhee, NC; great grandson Ryan Moss of Hillsboro, NC; stepdaughter Beth Palmer (Chip) of Texas; step grandchildren Stephanie Palmer and Chris Palmer of Texas; stepson David Smith (Wanda) of Salisbury, NC; step grandchildren David Smith, Jr. and Courtney Wood (Shannon) of Salisbury, NC. Stedman was preceded in death by his parents Jerry Luther Mitchell and Susie Moorefield Mitchell, his first wife Mary Will Higdon Mitchell, and 11 siblings. He came to western North Carolina at age 18 with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the depression. He fell in love with the mountains and made it his home for 83 years. He graduated from Mars Hill College with an associate degree in agriculture. Among his many occupations he hauled produce for the CCC, ran a produce stand in Sylva, NC, operated his farm and the State Farm for Western Carolina College. He progressed to Superintendent of Facilities and eventually became the Food Service Manager for Western Carolina University, retiring in 1975. Stedman was well loved by his family and friends. He was a gifted story teller and humorist, an avid gardener, loved building projects and saw milling, enjoyed his mountain cabin, rabbit hunting and his weekly "bridge club" that lasted for 70 years. He was very involved with his community throughout his years. He was a church deacon, a Rotary member for 50 years, board member of Harris Hospital and First Union Bank, and a member of the first Cullowhee Fire Department. A Celebration of Life will be held at Cullowhee Baptist Church in Cullowhee, NC at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday July 23rd, 2017. The family will receive friends at the church beginning one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family graciously asks that memorials be made to Cullowhee Baptist Church, PO Box 37, Cullowhee, NC 28723. . .