Ralph E. James

Leicester - Ralph Eddy James, 69 of Leicester passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009 with his loving family by his side. He left us to be with God after a long and brave battle against lung cancer. Ralph was born on April 16, 1940 and was a lifelong resident of the Leicester Community in Buncombe County. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Army, was Co-Owner of Service One Incorporated until his retirement in 2003 and was a member of Harvest Time Assembly in Asheville. Ralph was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Maurice and Ina Belle Littrell James; sister, Virginia Marie James and brother, Jimmy Lee James. Left to cherish his precious memory are his loving wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Ann Jones James; daughter, Marilee Elizabeth James; granddaughters, Melissa Ann and Ashley Elizabeth; sisters, Frankie James and Delores Owens both of Leicester; brothers, Rex James & wife Ruth of Sevierville, TN, Harold James & wife Freda of Shawnee, KS, John James of Front Royal, VA, Robert James & wife Pauline and Jeff James all of Leicester. The family will receive friends 7 to 8:30 P.M. Thursday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. An honorary military interment will be held 10:30 A.M. Friday at Green Hills Cemetery by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team. The Rev. Darrell McClaren will officiate and the Rev. Don Welborn will provide his message in music at the graveside services. Pallbearers will be Officers of the Buncombe County Sheriffs Department. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Honor of the Life of Mr. Ralph Eddy James to: CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, N.C. 28813.