James “Jc” Clarence Calhoun

J.C. Calhoun

James “JC” Clarence Calhoun (77) went home to be with his heavenly Father on November 30, 2024 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  Known best as the “honey man”, JC was born to Early Edgar and Beulah Elizabeth Calhoun on January 4, 1947 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, NC.  He spent his childhood in the country with his siblings, Colleen Collins (Clyde), Annaline Pruitt (Jimmy), Bob Calhoun (Barbara), and Dan Calhoun (Louise) working the fields and learning how to farm and keep bees.

The United States Army drafted JC in 1966 where he proudly served in Korea with the 55th Aviation Company during the Vietnam War.  He rose to the rank of E5 and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 13 months of service.  Although he was offered a position as warrant officer, he chose to serve in the Army Reserves until 1972 back in North Carolina. Upon returning to Elkin, he did various jobs before starting his own painting company which he built and worked for 40 successful years.  All the while, JC never lost his love for agriculture, farming, fishing, and beekeeping.  During these years, JC met and married Vickie White (passed in 1987) and enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews.

JC never knew a stranger and never missed an opportunity to pick on people.  “I wouldn’t pick on you if I didn’t love you,” was his most famous line.  His big heart and generous spirit led him to serve and help others in his church and community.  He was always giving away fruits and vegetables from the garden, painting churches, and teaching others about his favorite past times- farming, fishing, and bees.  Even in his final season of life, he was giving away blueberries, watermelons, and honey that his bees had made.

In 1995, JC married Darlene Quesinberry and relocated from Rural Hall to Lexington.  He was a faithful and devoted husband to Darlene, caring and generous “bonus dad” to her two children, Becky Hendley & Paul Quesinberry, and doting, fun-loving Papa to his four adoring grandchildren- Brianna (27), Ethan (22), & Brady (19) Hendley and Gabe (18) Quesinberry.  He cherished every moment with his grandchildren, spoiling them with snacks and gifts, taking them fishing and shooting, and bragging to everyone how much they looked just like him.  JC spent his later years serving at New Friendship Baptist Church, working his bee and honey business, gardening and canning food with Darlene, and sharing stories and nature tips with family, friends, and strangers.

More than any of these amazing qualities that made JC the honorable man that he was, was his gift of gab which he used to share his love for the Lord and his testimony of faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  In his own words, “Nothing else matters in this life except to live it knowing where you’re going after you die.”  He shared this message with every nurse, doctor, and visitor that crossed his path even as he was suffering so much.

JC is survived by his wife, Darlene, of 29 years, his stepchildren, his 4 grandchildren, his 2 sisters, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank New Friendship Baptist Church, family, friends, neighbors, WFMC oncology departments, and Trellis Hospice for the prayers, love, and support during this time.

The family will receive visitors beginning 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 7, at New Friendship Baptist Church, 4258 Old Lexington Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.  Celebration of Home Going Service will begin at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to New Friendship Baptist Church 4258 Old Lexington Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.

Davidson Funeral Home Hickory Tree Chapel is serving the family.