James "Jim" T. Mashburn

A funeral service will be held at noon Thursday at Brown-Wynn Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Rd., Raleigh. Family will receive friends before the service, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the funeral home. A private burial will be held on Friday.

Jim Mashburn was born March 4, 1922, in Johnston County, NC, to the late Jasper Mashburn and Ethel Morgan Mashburn. After graduating from Meadow High School, he joined the U.S. Army and served our country during World War II. After graduating from Lenoir Rhyne College, he spent more than three decades in public education in Davidson County.

Mr. Mashburn coached championship boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Midway and North Davidson High schools before his many years as basketball coach, science teacher and assistant principal of Lexington Junior High, later Lexington Middle School. He is fondly remembered by a legion of former students.

In 1973-74 he served in the House of Representatives of the N.C. General Assembly, representing Davidson and Davie counties and sponsoring several new laws, most related to education reform.

He never abandoned his rural roots, tending a large vegetable garden on his farm near Southmont, and later purchasing and managing his family’s farm. He was also an avid fisherman and birdwatcher.

In 1976 Mr. Mashburn moved to Raleigh and enjoyed a long and active retirement with his devoted wife of 35 years, Betty B. Mashburn. They spent much of their time traveling and playing golf at North Ridge Country Club. For the past six years they have resided at Magnolia Glen Independent Living, were he enjoyed playing bridge and other card games and was often surrounded by friends in the library while he worked on a jigsaw puzzle.

He is survived by his wife, Betty B. Mashburn; daughter Leslie Kern and husband Chris Kern of Morganton; son Rick Mashburn and partner Kenneth Frazelle of Winston-Salem; stepson Brooks Baker and wife Judi of Philadelphia; and stepdaughter Donna Ward and husband Tom of Raleigh. Grandchildren are Suzanna Brauer and husband Bill Ireland of Boone; Lydia Haney and husband Richard of Kernersville; and Catherine Prestley and husband Sean of Vicenza, Italy. He also leaves three great-grandchildren; sisters Maude McCombs of Raleigh and Edna Wade of Cullman, AL; brother Wayne Mashburn and wife Mary of Colorado Springs, CO; and twelve nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Carol Long, RN, Care Coordinator and Owner of Sozo Senior Wellness, and all the many others who provided such wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607; or Project Potential, James T. Mashburn Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1823, Lexington, NC 27293.