Mr. James Elder Whitley age 82 of Forest City passed away Monday January 3, 2011 at Hospice House of Forest City. A native of Hopewell, VA James was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War Two, a member of Crestview Baptist Church and a retired shipyard worker. He was an active member of the Senior Center and enjoyed flying airplanes. He was preceded in death by his wife Norma Evelyn Williams Whitley, father Joseph Olief Whitley, mother Mamie Frances Young Whitley Sullivan and sister Barbara Gean Willis. Left to cherish his memory are one son James Scott Whitley of Florida; one daughter Sandra Lee Owens of Forest City; one stepson Charles Ronald Williams of Minneapolis, MN; one stepdaughter Gail Diane Darnall of Duluth, GA; one brother Robert Lee Whitley of Spartanburg, SC; one sister Betty Gean McMillian of Virginia; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 8 at 11 AM at Crestview Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Rhom officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Concluding services will be held at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Rutherford County Hospice POB 336 Forest City, NC 28043 or Crestview Baptist Church Building Fund, 630 South Church Street, Forest City, NC 28043.