James D. Elliott Sr.

James Douglas Elliott Sr., 82, of 112 West Gale St., Edenton, died Saturday, June 3, 2006 at Chowan Hospital in Edenton. J.D., as he was more widely known, was born in Hertford, in Perquimans County, N.C., and was the son of the late William Alexander and James Agnes Mitchell Elliott. He attended Perquimans County High School and entered the service of the U.S. Army, serving in the 357th Search Light Battalion in the European theatre during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. He reconnoitered behind the German lines where artillery was active, receiving a medal for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. A member and past Master of Unanimity Masonic Lodge #7, A.F. & A.M., he also enjoyed membership in the Scottish Rites Bodies and the Sudan Temple of the Shrine. A charter member of the Edenton-Chowan Country Club, he enjoyed many pleasant hours of playing golf with his friends. A faithful member of Edenton Baptist Church for many years, he had taught Sunday School and served as the secretary of the Sunday School Department. J.D. served three terms on the Edenton Town Council during the period that the Town Hall was built, and served as the chairman of the building committee for the Edenton Fire Station. Retiring as staff manager for Home Security Life Insurance, now Monumental Life, after 30 years of employment, he devoted his time to his craft of woodworking. He built many lovely black walnut pieces, including six grandfather tall clocks, a corner cupboard of which he was especially proud, and a hanging corner cupboard. His signature was Dentil Work molding, and encouraged by his wife, he built pieces such as a walnut glass-front Etagere, a tilt-top table with hand-carved ball and claw feet, an English low boy, etc., etc. J.D. also restored many pieces for his friends. He was a witty man and would like to be remembered as a person who liked to laugh and make others laugh. Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Pansy Alderman Elliott, formerly of Rose Hill, N.C.; sons, James Douglas "Jim" Elliott Jr. and wife, Carol, and Chris Branning Elliott and wife, Mary, all of Edenton; daughter, Dale Alderman Elliott Long and husband, Tommy, of Elizabeth City; five grandchildren, Emily Elliott Matthews and husband, James, of Durham, James Douglas Elliott III, a junior at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., Thomas Julian Long III, a teacher and coach at South Central High School in the Pitt County Schools, and his wife, Deborah, of Greenville, and Richard Ryland Douglas Elliott and Katherine Grey Elliott, both students at John A. Holmes High School in Edenton; four great-grandchildren, Evan and Lauren Matthews of Durham and Thomas Julian IV and Marian Long of Greenville; a brother, Robert Carlton "Bobby" Elliott and wife, Ramona, of Hertford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William A. Elliott Jr. and wife, Lillie Mae. A service celebrating his life will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home, Edenton, by the Rev. Tim Dannelly. Private inurnment will be in Cedarwood Cemetery, Hertford. Friends may join the family at the residence. Flowers are to be omitted and contributions in his memory directed to the Shiner's Hospital.