Donald James

Donald Lee "Chief" James Sr., 74, of Hinkle Lane, of the Welcome Community passed away at Baptist Medical Center early Sunday morning. The funeral will be at East End Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Tim Gainey at 2 p.m on Wednesday with the burial following at the Forest Hill Memorial Park in Lexington. He was born November 1, 1933, in Forsyth County, to William Leroy James and Ada Hill James. He owned and operated Welcome Automotive until the summer of 2007. He enjoyed coast fishing, flounder gigging and working on cars. He was a kind man devoted to his family and always put the needs of others first. His children will always remember him as "daddy" and his grandchildren will remember him as "paw paw". He will be missed greatly! He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Shelvia Myers James, who died in 1998; three brothers and four sisters. He leaves behind two sons, Donald James, Jr. of Welcome; Curtis James and wife, Cathy of Welcome; one daughter, Rita Helms and husband, Johnny of Welcome; seven grandchildren, Crystal James, Courtney Beck, Brittney James, Amanda Hedrick, Summer Brafford, Justin Hamby, Jacob James; three great-grandchildren; Willow Brown, Aaron Beck, Noah Beck; and special niece Kris Mathis. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at Davidson Funeral Home of Lexington and others times at the home of the family.