James Edward Gaither, 77, of Harmony, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, in Statesville. He was born on August 15, 1947, in Iredell County, to Ernest Owens Izell Gaither and Novella Turner Gaither.
James attended Houstonville Elementary School and graduated in 1965 from Unity High School. He drove a truck for 39 years, working for Piedmont Explosives, Star Milling, and Pratt Industries.
He was a member of Rocky Creek AME Church in Harmony. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and served his church by maintaining the church grounds for many years. He loved baseball and football and was a Washington Commanders fan.
James was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Stamey Gaither and Kenneth Gaither; and three fur babies, Teddy, Flossie, and Freckles.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Nichols Gaither of Harmony; brothers, Henry Gaither (Sadellia) and Ernest Owen Gaither, Jr. (Stephanie) both of Harmony; sister, Diane Gaither Chambers (John) of Fayetteville; step-brother, George Turner of Statesville; nephews, Russell McIntosh, Ellery McIntosh, and Cinique Scott; special friends, James Dobbins, David Redmon, Leonard Lazenby, and Kippy Dobbins; brothers-in-law, Ricky Nichols, Gary Nichols, and Steven Nichols; sisters-in-law, Sheila Nichols Long, Rhonda Nichols, Carla Nichols, and Valerie Nichols Brown (Reverend Emmanuel Brown); and a host of nieces and nephews by marriage.
The family will receive friends during quiet time on Monday, March 3, from 3:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Reverend Marcus Farmer will officiate.
Donations may be made in James’s memory to the American Heart Association online at https://www.heart.org/ or by mail to PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284.