Rev. James Willard "Jim" Stroupe

Rev. James Jim Willard Stroupe, 82, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 26, 2018 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center. A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County he was the son of the late James Robert Stroupe and Donnie Irene McMahan Stroupe. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Robert Stroupe; sisters-in-law: Martha Stroupe and Nina Stroupe; and brother-in-law, Ed Lemon. Rev. Stroupe spent his life dedicated to serving the Lord and Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1950 at the age of 15 he was saved by Gods Grace at Oteen Baptist Church. On Easter Sunday in 1958 his brother, Dan, invited him to attend Swannanoa Heights Baptist Church where he rededicated his life to the Lord on that morning. He became a member of that church and held various positions in the church. He was a janitor, assistant Sunday school teacher for the Mens class, and was ordained as a Deacon. He assisted in building a new church and lived next door to the church. He worked at Beacon and remembered coming home and working on the church until 11 or 12 at night and then praying in the laurels behind the church until 2 or 3 AM many nights. At a revival held by Preacher Jim Frizell he answered the call to preach, and was licensed on October 6, 1962 at Swannanoa Heights. Shortly after that he filled in as a Preacher at Happy Valley, the meetings were held in a barn while they built a church. After that he just started preaching ever where he could. In the spring of 1963 he attended a revival at Grassy Branch Baptist Church with Rev. Harold Townsend and became a member of Grassy Branch Baptist Church. He continued to preach at various churches, and then in December of 1967 he became ordained to preach at Grassy Branch Baptist Church. From 1970 till 1971 he Pastored Coles Cove Baptist Church and then he preached a various churches. From 1976 till 1979 he Pastored Longs Chapel Baptist Church, and then from 1979 till 1984 he Pastored Sand Hill Baptist Church and this was the first time that he was a fulltime minister and did not work a public job. He also had a radio broadcast on Sunday mornings at 7:30 AM for 2 years during this time. From 1984 till 1988 he pastored Sweeten Creek Baptist Church. From 1988 till 1996 he attended Monticello Road Baptist Church and was Assistant Pastor with Preacher Jay Blankenship. He also assisted in the building of the new church. From 1996 till Retirement in 2009 he Pastored Sweeten Creek Baptist Church, and had a radio broadcast on 1380 AM WKJV on Saturdays at 1 PM that was completely sponsored by listeners. His favorite songs were: The Anchor Holds, After ALL, and My Heart is Already Home. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Martha Bell Stroupe of the home; children: Diane Wrenn and husband Bob of Fort Worth, TX, Tim Stroupe and wife Maria of the US Military, Libby Holcombe and husband Steve of West Asheville, and Angie Stroupe of the home; grandchildren: Jennifer Mosley, Tristan Stroupe and wife Cindy, Lindsay Dutton and husband Jamie, Brandi Rexroad and husband Austin, and Najwa Alshammasi; great grandchildren: Celeste, Will, Stella, Kyle, Josh, James, Bentley, and Peyton; brothers: Dan Stroupe of Weaverville, Paul Stroupe and wife Cloria of Murphy, and Ted Stroupe of Asheville; brother-in-law, Jim Bell; sister-in-law, Bobbi Lemon; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, March 3, 2018 in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Roy Kilby, Brother DeLain Whittemore, and Pastor Bruce Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Sky View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Friday at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to: Sweeten Creek Baptist Church Missionary Fund, 11 Busbee View Circle, Asheville, NC 28803, Swannanoa Heights Baptist Church Missionary Fund, 222 Fountain Way, Swannanoa, NC 28778, or to Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251 Washington, DC 20090-7251. To sign Rev. Stroupes guestbook online, please go to Memorials at www.andersrice.com.