James Duff

James M. Duff ELIZABETH CITY - James MacNealley "Mac" Duff passed away Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 at the age of 92. He was born Sept. 23, 1918, the twin son of William P. and Katherine Ehringhaus Duff. He graduated from Elizabeth City High School, attended North Carolina State, University of North Carolina and Poughkeepsie Business School. After attending college, Mac served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in patrol bombing squadron VP 206 and then served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a captain in the medical service corps. His professional career began as an assistant secretary of State Capital Life Insurance Company, and president of Life Insurance Company of North Carolina. He later was a senior vice president and area executive of First Union National Bank where he retired at age 70. He also served for three years following his naval service in addition to his normal occupation as director and administrator of St. Agnes Hospital in Raleigh, N.C. During his career, Mac served on the Board of UNC Medical Foundation and a past president of its Co-Founder club. Mac also served as a member of the Board of Directors for BB&T in Raleigh, First Union National Bank in Elizabeth City; COA Foundation and Elizabeth City State University Foundation. He was also named chairman of the board for the College of the Albemarle, chairman of the Pasquotank United Fund, president of the Elizabeth City Rotary Club and recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and a former member of Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, and Pine Lakes Country Club in Elizabeth City, and a chairman of Elizabeth City Chamber of Commerce. Mac was a lifelong Episcopalian serving as Senior Warden at St. Mary's in Kinston, N.C., Junior Warden at Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth City, and a recipient of numerous civic awards. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Patty Banks Duff; son, James MacNealley Duff Jr of Raleigh; daughters Steva Sheppard Williams and husband Bill of Suffolk, Patricia Sheppard Jones and husband Lee of Elizabeth City; and son, James Thomas Sheppard Jr. and wife Lyle of Wake Forest, N.C. Grandchildren include Ashley Brown, Taylor Jones, Lindsey Jones, Courtney Gartman, Justin Hayes, and Jarrett Hayes and a great-grandchild, Cayleigh Brown. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. in Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth City. Following the service, the family will receive friends and relatives in the Parish Hall of the church. A private graveside service will be held for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family re- quests donations be given to the Christ Church Organ Fund or Building Foundation Fund, 200 S. McMorrine St., Elizabeth City, NC 27909. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.twifordfh.com. Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church St., Elizabeth City, N.C., is serving the Duff family.