James Worley Mann

James (Jim, Jimmy, Ish, Mr Jimmy) Mann, of Pittsboro, NC, died peacefully at home on Saturday, May 24, 2025 surrounded by his wife and daughters. Jimmy was born on May 27, 1937, in Asheville, NC to the late Evelyn Worley Mann and Frank Bascom Mann. He was a loving husband, beloved father, and devoted grandfather (#1 Poppy). Jimmy is survived by his wife Kay, daughters Mary Beth Grealey and Becky Joye, sons-in-law Edward and Mark, and grandchildren Finn, Clare, Seamus, Eliza and Mason.

Jimmy grew up in a loving home with his mother, brother, and grandparents on West Chestnut Street in Asheville. An ambitious entrepreneur his whole life, he began working at 13 years of age, working for the Winkenwerder family at their Tour-O-Tel Court and Restaurant. A 1955 graduate of Lee Edwards High School (with the nickname of Ish, a reference to his failed crewcut that some said resembled "Ish" Kabibble), Jimmy attended Mars Hill College, graduated from Brevard Junior College and went on to study economics and math at Guilford College.

Jimmy came to Charlotte, beginning an opportunity in sales and soon after learned that another Brevard College alum, Kay Johnson, was working in Charlotte and gave her a call. He later confessed that he had not voted for her when she was "Campus Queen" in college. She always replied, " I didn't need your vote". Kay and Jimmy married in 1963 and moved to Anderson, then Greenville SC, where he obtained a job in sales for the then Noxema Chemical Company, later Noxell Corporation. Salesmanship became his forte. The girls were born in 1967 and 1973 in Greenville. In 1979, after Jimmy joined Tri-State Marketing, Inc., the family moved to Mebane, NC and several years later, Burlington, NC. After the death of his partner, James Glover, he subsequently brought into the company, Steven A. Dailey. In Jimmy's later years, the long friendship and later partnership with Steve, brought him great pleasure and pride.

An avid golfer, Jimmy had a hole-in-one in 1977, and won several work related tournaments over the years. It delighted him later in life to see his grandson Finn embrace the game as well. In the early 90's his health was affected by two separate cancer diagnoses, and later surgeries, along with other health issues. His experiences at The Mayo Clinic, Duke, and UNC Lineberger Cancer Hospital led him to demonstrate his gratitude by becoming involved philanthropically with his physicians ongoing medical research.

The marriages of both daughters, and the grandchildren that came brought him much happiness. A second home in Brevard returned Jimmy and Kay to a favored place whenever they could travel "up to the mountains." Jimmy was never happier than in sharing time with family. He often recalled the best of times at 43 West Chestnut Street in Asheville for its hospitality to family and friends through the years of his youth and beyond. He maintained a close relationship with his mother Evelyn, moving her near the family with each move, and was devoted to her longtime care through her 98th year. After the birth of their NC grandchildren Seamus and Clare, Jimmy and Kay moved to Pittsboro, NC and enjoyed being present for tee-ball and soccer games and all the fun activities of the grandchildren as they grew. They also enjoyed frequent trips to Mount Pleasant for time with Finn. Being their Poppy was Jimmy's most favorite role and he delighted in spending time with each of them as they grew.

Jimmy had style and wit and the most loving care for his family and friends. He was a dear friend and mentor to so many and will be deeply missed and celebrated for the valuable gifts he passed on to each of us. We will remember him for his love of family; his charisma and charm, the whistle that could be heard a mile away and his ability to recall every lyric to every Ray Charles song. We will love him forever.

A memorial service will be Friday May 30th at Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, NC at 2pm. Memorials can be made to Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church, Chapel Hill, NC or to CORA Food Pantry in Pittsboro, NC.