Betty James

Crabtree Community, Betty Ruth Owenby James, age 83, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at CarePartners Solace Center.

A native of Macon County, she was a daughter of the late Fate and Faye Duvall Owenby.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Owenby; five brothers, Jack, Vernon, Don, Morris and Joe Owenby.  Betty was a 1956 Clyde High School graduate and a basketball star.  She worked at the Clyde Post Office for 15 years.  Betty was an active member of Crabtree Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader and Acteens Director.  She enjoyed the outdoors, camping, waterskiing, traveling and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ray James; daughter, Denise Bottoms; son, Billy Ray James, Jr.; twin sister, Barbara Gaffney, and her husband, Tom; four grandchildren, Robert James, and his wife, Leanne, Jacob James, and his wife, Brooke, Jason Bottoms, and his wife, Anna and Steven Bottoms; two great-grandsons, Hank and Tucker; family members, Joe and Kim; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022, at Crabtree Baptist Church with Reverend Josh Evans officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crabtree Baptist Church, 480 Crabtree Church Road, Clyde, NC 28721 or Haywood Christian Ministries, 150 Branner Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of CarePartners Solace Center for the excellent care and compassion shown to Betty and her family.

The care of Mrs. James has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.