James Edward Conner

James Edward Conner, 79, of Farnsworth Road in Spartanburg, SC and former resident of Asheville passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2010. He was born in Buncombe County and was the son of the late Homer and Fairlee Searcy Conner. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Adelaide Souther Conner. Also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Alice Conner Daniel and brother, Daniel Franklin Conner. He was a graduate of Western Carolina University and was a US Navy veteran. He worked as a textile engineer and was a third degree mason. Mr. Conner was a member of Starnes Cove Baptist Church. He loved his family, gardening, the mountains and especially the 1950 graduating class of Sand Hill High School. He is survived by his daughter, Cathy Ann Conner of Spartanburg; sister, Betty Jean Conner Lance of Charlotte; a brother, Harvey William Conner of Mills River and a sister Shirley Conner Guinn of Black Mountain. A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 7, 2010 in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with Rev. Will Malambri officiating. His family will receive friends from 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Hoopers Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 5:00 P.M. Thursday at St. James United Methodist Church in Spartanburg, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 213 N. Lanford Rd Spartanburg, SC 29301 or to Wofford College Terrier Club, 429 N. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303.