James Alton Leigh

January 26, 1923 - June 17, 2009
James Alton Leigh


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James Alton Leigh, 86, of Wilmington formerly of Snow Hill died Wednesday June 17, 2009 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center with his family at his side.

James was born in Loris, SC January 26, 1923 the son of the late Thomas Rhosier and Mattie Hardee Leigh. He was also preceded in death by his wife Doris Thomas Leigh; grandson Howard Keith Herring; brothers Arthur and Thomas Leigh; sister Melvedean Strickland. He was a member of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church of Kinston and retired from the North Carolina Department of Corrections.

Surviving are daughters Phyllis T. Cox and Richard Johnson of Wilmington; Joyce T. Warren and husband Michael ; Teresa T. Norris and husband Speedy; Betty Gail Leigh Klouser and husband Bayliss all of Loris SC; brother Lavern Leigh and wife Faye of Whiteville; sisters Ilene Smithart and Lenona Suggs both of Loris SC. Seven grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren.

The family will see friends from 10AM Saturday until service time at Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service Chapel Snow Hill where services will be conducted 11:00 A.M Saturday June 20, 2009. Conducting the service will be Reverend Willis Pearson. Burial will follow in Snow Hill Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wilmingtonburialandcremation.com

Wilmington Burial and Cremation Service 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910.791.9099


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  • June 18, 2009
    danny gerald says:
    i am sorry to hear about your dad. i worked for him at his service station in loris when i was 16.

  • June 19, 2009
    Kathleen Hansen says:
    We will miss Alton for his always pleasant greetings and bright smile. He was such a loving person and we all loved him. We are glad that he can now be home with the Lord. Our sympathy to all the family for we know you will miss him.

  • June 19, 2009
    Beverly Hansen Andrews says:
    My dad, Robert Hansen, lived across the hall from Alton at Autumn Care. I'd pop in and see Alton whenever I'd go see my dad, because Alton made an impression on me. He always had a sweet thing to say and he could brighten my day. I just wanted to let you know that even people you don't know will miss Alton. Best Wishes to all of his family at this difficult time.

  • June 22, 2009
    barbara blandine says:
    "Alton" made visiting my Dad, Howard Harvey easier since Alton always had stories to tell. Alton loved his pork rinds and beef jerky. When we got him some homemade deer jerky he put his hunting hat on and sat there with a big grin on his face enjoying the jerky. He had a big heart to match his grin. Prayers and thoughts to the family, Agnes Harvey and Phil/Barbara Blandine

  • June 20, 2009
    Jane Croom says:
    I am so sorry to learn about Mr Leigh. I enjoyed knowing him at Autumn Care and eventhough he did not feel good some times he was always cheerful. I loved his hat with the light on it. I will miss him. God Bless each member of his family.