Rev. James Braswell Holderness The Rev. James Braswell Holderness, 71, of Wilmington, died, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Jim was born, Oct. 25, 1941, in Tarboro, N.C., son, of the late H. Dail and Nancy Braswell Holderness. He graduated from Woodberry Forest School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Va. He served Presbyterian churches in Carrollton, Ga., Little Rock, Ark., Shelby, N.C., Concord, N.C., Dalton, Ga., Greenville, N.C., Laurinburg, N.C., Sanford, N.C., Sneads Ferry, N.C., and Wilmington, N.C. He had a passion and gift for preaching and teaching the Bible. He was active in the Kairos Prison Ministry, and had served on the Board of Trustees, at Union Theological Seminary. In 1972, he chaired the Urban League of Little Rock. He later chaired the Board of Barber Scotia College, and the Cabarrus Cooperative Christian Ministry, Concord. He was very active in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Dalton, Ga. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ginny Ward Holderness; son, J.B. Holderness Jr., of Englewood, N.J.; daughter, Lorinda Umphlett and son-in-law, the Rev. David Umphlett, of High Point, N.C.; and two grandsons, James, and Parker (who affectionately called him "Daddy Jim"). He is also survived by brothers, the Rev. Haywood Holder-ness and wife, Mary, of Durham, N.C., and Rusty Holderness and wife, Mary Ann, of Tarboro, N.C.; and sisters, Zelle Jester and husband, John, of Greensboro, N.C., and Nancy Reams and husband, Tom, of Richmond, Va. A memorial service was held, Monday, Dec. 31, at First Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Ernest T. Thompson III, and Brian K. Blount officiating. The family greeted friends at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. 3rd St., Wilmington, NC 28401, or to Union Presbyterian Seminary, 3401 Brook Rd., Richmond, VA 23227. Condolences may be sent to the family at andrewsmortuary.com.