James “Jim” Gary Futrell of Winnsboro passed away peacefully on Monday, February 24, 2025 at the age of 84 after suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Born on September 14, 1940 in Potecasi, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Simon Luter and Emma Wright Futrell.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jo Ann Hines Futrell and
2 daughters, Lynne Futrell Moore (Bruce) and Julie Futrell Blaes (Jim)
5 grandchildren, Andy Moore (Samantha) Hannah Grace Till (Danny) Nathan Blaes
(Hannah) Madison Jo Blaes, Matthias Blaes and 5 great grandchildren, Teddy
Moore, Cooper Till, Jamie Moore, Elijah Blaes and Susanna Blaes.
Jim married Jo Ann Hines of Wilmington, NC in 1962, eleven months after first meeting her. They were married 63 years and were blessed by the Lord throughout their married life. Jim and Jo Ann both loved to travel and enjoyed many trips together with family, friends or groups. Together, they were able to also travel internationally.
Of their international trips, their trip to Israel was their favorite. Their youngest daughter and family were living in Israel at the time, so that provided them with a built in travel guide and unique local experiences in many Holy sites where they could spend hours at a time versus just making a quick stop.
Jim was an avid collector and his favorite was an extensive collection of Bibles. He also loved taking pictures as many of you know! At the end of his life, he was still carrying around a collection of pictures. We are blessed to still get to enjoy so many pictures that he took through the years.
Jim loved North Carolina State University where he obtained his undergrad and graduate degrees. That is where Jim met his beloved wife, Jo Ann. He was an outstanding student at NC State.
Jim was President of Bragaw dorm. He was president of his Senior class of over 2000+ students, as well as the permanent class President of his 1962 graduating class.
He was a member of the following honor fraternities at North Carolina State University, Golden Chain, Blue Key, Thirty and Three, Kappa Phi Kappa and Gamma Sigma Delta. He was also a member of Alpha Zeta, the professional fraternity at NCSU. Jim was an officer in many of these fraternities.
Jim’s extensive career included:
4-H Agent in Tarboro,NC, banking positions in Raleigh, NC and Columbia, SC where his last title was Vice President. He held positions at the Alumni Office at NC State and at the 4-H center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
He also worked as a County Manager in North Carolina and as the Town Manager in Winnsboro, SC.
He was an integral part of the Rotary Club. He served in many positions, including President of the Winnsboro Club and the District Governor of Rotary International District 7750. He was the first person to obtain that honor from this area.
Jim received the distinguished honor of The Paul Harris Fellow.
Later in life, Jim served as the Chairman of the Hospital Board at Fairfield Memorial Hospital in Winnsboro. He always loved being involved in his church. He served as Chairman of the Administrative Council and was also a delegate to the Methodist conference for many years.
After his retirement, Jim’s great love for the Lord led him to volunteer regularly at The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. For many years, Jim always told people that it was the best job he ever had and He loved being there!
Many of the years Jim volunteered, he was in the prayer room. Through this position he was able to lead many people, young and old, to Christ. This brought him great joy. His greatest joy was leading the younger people to the Lord. Many of these young people came to the Library in groups, on buses from many different states. Often more than one youth was saved at the same time.
Jim never hesitated to question when he met someone new from all walks of life, if they were saved and then he would tell them about the Lord. He would give them information from the Billy Graham Library as well. Often he would talk to the same person multiple times because he was so worried about their salvation.
The family would like to express special appreciation to David and Justin Edwards and to all of Jim’s caregivers at Generations Memory Care unit in Irmo, for the care they provided to Jim and the tremendous love and support they provided to Jim, Jo Ann and family.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm Saturday, March 8,
2025 at First United Methodist Church in Winnsboro, SC
The family will receive all friends and family after the service in the church
Fellowship Hall for food, fellowship and a celebration of Jim’s life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jim’s memory to Billy Graham Library and/or Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
