JAMES A. EASON
Sept. 13, 1929-Aug. 9, 2011
James Alton Eason died at home on Tuesday after a brief illness. Al was born in Wayne County on Sept. 13, 1929 to the late James Berry and Eula Mae Smith Eason. He was the widower of Billie Foss Eason, who died in 2006. He lived in Wayne County all but three years of his life when he moved his family to Siler City in the 1960s.
Mr. Eason began his working life at Eason Milling Company, but spent most of his life as a hard-working farmer. He also started what is still known as the Country Butcher Shop and later in life worked with his wife in an accessories designing business, Carolina Creations by Billie. He was her number one salesman. Big Al spent his last years entertaining friends and neighbors at his home in Spence Place, where he will be fondly remembered.
Mr. Eason is survived by his daughter, Dru Eason Wilkins and husband, Kenneth of New Bern, and his son, James Alton Eason Jr. and wife, Aissa of Bentonville, Ark. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jonathan Eason Wilkins and wife, Laura, New Bern; Graham Worth Wilkins, Washington, D.C.; Eleanor Jurney Wilkins, New Bern; James Alton Eason, III, Kansas City, Mo.; Miles Cameron Eason, Fayetteville, Ark.; and Jennifer Hirst Eason, Bentonville, Ark.; and great-granddaughter, Caroline Eason Wilkins, New Bern. He is also survived by his sister, Christine Eason Garris, and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Goldsboro, at 11 a.m. on Friday with the Rev. James H. Harry officiating. The family will receive friends after the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the 3HC-Hospice, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534 or the non-profit hospice agency in your area.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on August 10, 2011 3:04 PM