James Bernice "JB" High

James Bernice High, 83, beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, widower of Edith Batchelor High, died December 28, 2008 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.
Born in Martinsville, VA, he was the son of the late James Bernice and Mary Bissette High. JB grew up in the Free Will Baptist Children's Home in Middlesex, NC.
He retired from Rocky Mount City Schools as Maintenance Supervisor. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific largely aboard the USS LST- 334. Formerly, he served as president of the North Carolina Schools Maintenance Association. JB was a Mason and member of the Corinthian Lodge 230.
Surviving are sons, Jim High and wife, Reba of Nashville and Joe High of Louisburg; sister, Joyce Forrester of Smithfield; grandson, Troy High and wife, Gail and their son, Daniel of Wake Forest; granddaughter, Donna Brickell and her husband, Scott and their two children, Lillie and Dexter of Raleigh.
He predeceased by his brother, Joseph Homer High of Naples, FL.
A wake will be at Johnson Chapel of Nashville, Friday, January 2, 2009 between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. A Masonic funeral will follow on January 3, 2009 at 2;00 p.m. at Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount.
Flowers are welcome or if you prefer, memorials may be made to the Free Will Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 249, Middlesex, NC 27557.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremations, 226 South Barnes Street, Nashville, NC 27856.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com