James Oliver Sellars, known to many friends as Jim, died July 2, 2011 at the age of 84. He had courageously battled heart and kidney disease for several years.
Born January 28, 1927 in Supply, NC in Brunswick County, to the late Milie and John Sellars, he was predeceased by four brothers, Dewey, Riley, Roland and Warren Sellars.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Eunice Tipton Sellars, his daughter Lisa and her husband John Newsome of Ahoskie, his daughter Amy and her husband Mike Freelander of Durham and two grandchildren Holli Brown Newsome of Wilmington and James Edward Jackson Newsome of Raleigh.
After serving in the United States Army in World War II, he returned home and received a degree in engineering in Kansas City, Missouri and a degree in business from King‚??s Business College in Charlotte. He and his family moved to Ahoskie in 1956 where he worked for the N.C. Department of Transportation, Right of Way Division for 42 years. He was a long-time faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Ahoskie and the Radio Bible Class, serving as president of the class.
He was active in the community as a member of the Ahoskie Kiwanis Club where he served as president and Lt. Governor for the district. He also volunteered at Roanoke Chowan Hospital serving as the president for the hospital‚??s auxiliary board for many years. He served for many years on the board of directors for Roanoke Electric Association. For the past twenty-five years, he devoted time and energy to the Ahoskie Rural Volunteer Fire Department, serving as chairman of the board of directors and assisting the department in many ways. In 2009,the Ahoskie Rural Volunteer Fire Department dedicated in his name their building on Main Street in honor of his years of outstanding service to the department.
A proud owner of a motor home, he and his wife traveled extensively for years visiting every state in the continental U.S. and parts of Canada. They enjoyed many long trips across the country stopping at most of our national parks.
He will always be remembered by his children and grandchildren for his kind and generous spirit, cheerful joking manner and willingness to serve others.
A Celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Ahoskie.
Memorial donations are requested to the Baptist Children‚??s Home of North Carolina P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC, 27361-9911 or the Ahoskie Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., P.O. Box 43, Ahoskie, NC 27910.
Friends and family may send online condolences to www.garrettjonesfh.com
Garrett-Jones Funeral Home of Ahoskie is serving the Sellars Family.
Lisa and Family,
I was saddened to hear of the news of the passing of Mr. Sellars. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Shelia Davis
Miss Eunice, Amy and Lisa
I worked for Mr Sellars in the Ahoskie Right of Way office in the mid eighties.
I am sorry for your family’s loss, my thoughts are with you.
Lisa & Family,
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your father. We remember him as a kind & joking individual that always made others smile! You are in our thoughts & prayers! GOD Bless you all in this time of sorrow!
Dear Mrs. Sellars, Lisa and Amy and family members,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It can be so difficult to lose a loved one, but Mr. Sellars lived a long and good life. I have so many good memories of him and us being neighbors. Praying for you all at this time. Love, Lynn
Lisa, Ms. Sellars, and Amy
Becky called me with the news. It’s hard to lose someone so dear to you. I think about Dad all the time. He and J.O. will go fishing I’m sure! J.O. was a caring person and always had a good story. He and Dick were very close.
I met Mr. Sellars only a couple of times but he seemed to be a genuinely good man, the epitome of “America’s Greatest Generation”. Thank you for your service to America.
Lisa,
I am very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Losing a parent is painful and profound, but I pray that God’s peace and presence will give you strength and comfort.
Please know you are in my prayers.
Leah
Lisa and Family,
Curtis and I were sorry to learn of your Father’s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I realize what you are going through now (as I have lost my own Father). In time you will grieve less and remember all the good times with him. But also know that you need this time to grieve and mourn his loss. If there is anything Curtis or I can do, please let us know.
Curtis and Brenda Allen
Lesa and family,
Now is the time to remember your Dad. How he made you feel, cared for you and all the wonderful memories he has made for you. Enjoy them!!!
Big Hugs
Dee and John