James Easley

James Newton Easley, age 94, formerly of 309 Astor Court, died Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Roman Eagle Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.                He was born in Pittsylvania County on April 29, 1922 the son of the late Alonza H. Easley and the late Kate Ragsdale Easley.  Besides his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers; Lanier, Calvin (Jack), and Alonza (Monk) Easley, Jr., and by four sisters; Bernice and Virginia Easley, and Kathleen Deel and Martha Christopher.  He was also predeceased by a son, James N. (Jim) Easley, Jr. and a great-granddaughter.                Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Juanita (Nita) Hall Easley, and a son, John Hall Easley and his wife, Gayle, of Belews Creek, NC.  He is also survived by four grandchildren; Benjamin Easley (Ashley) of Maui, Joy Easley (husband, Eric Arroyo), of Duvall, WA, Miriam Villacian (Gene), of Lacey, WA, and John H. (Johnny) Easley, Jr. of Belews Creek, NC . He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.                James was a graduate of Chatham High School and was a veteran of the U. S. Army Air Corps in World War II.  A technical sergeant, he was an engineer on a B-24 Liberator which was shot down and crash landed in Holland.  The Germans were waiting, and he spent the next year as a prisoner of war in Germany.                He was employed by Retail Credit Co. (now Equifax) and Womack Electric Co.  He was a faithful member of Moseley Memorial United Methodist Church, serving in many positions, from keeping the nursery, singing in the choir, Chairman of the Official Board, to teaching the young adults and later the Aldersgate Class.                Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 4 P.M. from the Townes Memorial Chapel with the Reverend Lisa Nordan officiating, followed by a private burial Highland Burial Park.                The family will receive friends at Townes Funeral Home on Thursday, October 27, 2016 from 6:30 to 8 P.M.                The family suggests that donations be made to Moseley Memorial United Methodist Church, 601 Berryman Avenue, Danville, VA  24541.                Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street is serving the Easley family.