He said to her, “Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace. You will not suffer anymore.” Mark 5:34

Mrs. Betty Jane McHenry James

Mrs. Betty Jane McHenry James, 73, of Statesville, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, following an extended illness. She was born in Iredell County on July 11, 1944, and is the daughter of the Mary Dalton McHenry and the late Norris Jimmy McHenry. She was married to Kenneth Nathaniel James for 29 years, who survives. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Franklin McHenry Summers. Also, preceding her in death are her grandparents, William A. and Blanche Allison Dalton; three uncles and aunts, William (Bill) and Dorothy Dalton, Jay Lynn and Molene Carpenter Dalton, and Gilbert McHenry.

She was a graduate of Unity High School, Class of 1961, and held an Associate of Arts degree in Cosmetology. Betty worked as a Switchboard Operator at Iredell Memorial Hospital prior to her illness. She served as a member of the Rutledge and Bigham Volunteer Support Staff, Malissa Chapter 8 Order of the Eastern Star, Bristol Road Senior Citizens, and an Avon Sales Consultant and attended Chestnut Grove Baptist Church.

Mrs. James leaves to cherish the memory of her life, a son, Javon “Tiger” Maurice (Jill) Harrison of Atlanta, Ga.; three step-daughters, Regina, Adrian, Kaychele; a brother, Jimmy (Sarah) McHenry of Statesville; two sisters, Brenda (Charles) Tenor of Statesville and Cynthia McHenry (Warren) Johnson of Statesville; four grandchildren, Courtney Strickland, Jianna Harrison, Max Harrison and Johnny Harrison, all of Atlanta, Ga.; an aunt and uncle Cecelia Ann and Hubert Moore of Statesville; a paternal aunt, Hazel McHenry. She also leaves to cherish her nephews: Charles (Casey) Tenor, Ryan (Kim) Tenor, Kham (Tiffany) McHenry, Chris Leak, Darnell (Anita) Summers, Travis Hooper, Paul (PJ) Rose II; nieces: Dana Hammond, Betty Ann (David) Brandyburg, Trina Irvis, Latisha Summers, Poketa McHenry; first cousins: Tijuana Moore Irons of Silver Springs, Md., Vermel Moore, Teresa (Curtis) Parker and William (Yvonne) Dalton of Raleigh/Durham, James (Wanda) Carpenter, Gene (Betty) Carpenter of Raleigh/Durham, and Gary McHenry; special cousin, James Roseboro and special friend, Margaret Ann White; a sister-in-law; two brothers in-law; and a host of great nephews and nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at 10:30 am at The Mary B. Bigham Memorial Chapel at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home. Minister Stephen Darnell Summers will officiate and Reverend Patrick Tate will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Belmont Cemetery.

Members of the family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. but will assemble at the residence at all other times. Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. James at rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Betty Jane McHenry James.

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