McMinnville resident and Florence, Ala., native Bryson Lemoine James, PhD, 86, was born Sept. 12, 1930 and died April 29 at Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta following an extended illness.
Dr. James was a former professor of horticulture at the University of North Carolina, former director of horticultural research at the University of Florida and after moving to McMinnville, he became a consulting horticulturist with the nursery industry and many other clients. He volunteered as director of horticultural research for the Southern Nursery Association and directed its Annual Research Conference for 37 years. He was the son of the late Edward Newman and Ira Belle Denton James, a member of Christ Family Church and veteran of the United States Air Force. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Marie James and brother, Edward Ira James.
Dr. James was married July 6, 1991 to Frances Pedigo James of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Edward Michael (Miriam) James of Gettysburg, Pa.; three step-daughters, Deborah (Ernest) Frankenberg and Cynthia Preston, both of McMinnville, and Gerlinde (Collier) Rogers of Rock Island; stepgrandson, Michael (Talitha) Oettinger Jr. of Murfreesboro; two step-great-grandchildren, Lucy and Berean Oettinger; three brothers, Dr. Jesse Clopton (Barbara) James of Huntsville, Ala., Malcolm Wallace (Jean) James of Byron, Ga., and Graham Farris (Clara) James of Cypress Inn; sister, Vera James Holt of St. Louis, Mo.; sister-in-law, Pauline James; Byron, Ga., and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Tuesday, May 2, at High’s Chapel with Charlie Parkerson, Danny Summers and Christopher Young officiating. Burial followed at Gardens of Memory Cemetery with full military honors administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.
High Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.