Mr. James Carson Smitherman, 70, of Peoria Road, Sugar Grove, died Sunday morning, May 15, 2005 at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 25, 1935 in Watauga County, a son of the late Spencer and Lucy May.

Mr. Smitherman was a U.S. Army veteran and was retired from W & L Motor Lines, where he worked as a mechanic. He was a member of Timbered Ridge Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth McKinney Smitherman; and three special friends, Carolina Byers, Adrian McCall and Lindsey Nelson, all of Lenoir.

Services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock atthe Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Derick Wilson and the Rev. Harold Dellinger officiating. Burial followed in the Greene Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Timbered Ridge Baptist Church, in care of Dana Millsaps, 304 Smith Henson Road, Sugar Grove, N.C. 28679 or to the Greene Cemetery, in care of Ivan Dishman, 1360 Peoria Road, Sugar Grove, N.C. 28679.

The family received friends Tuesday afternoon from 12:30-2 p.m., prior to the service, at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Smitherman family.