James Edward Honeycutt

Ed grew up in Mooresville, North Carolina, and graduated from Mooresville High School before attending Wake Forest University. A gifted athlete, he played on the Wake Forest golf team and was a member of its 1963 ACC championship team. He graduated from Wake Forest that same year with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Ed married Martha in 1969, beginning a marriage that would span 57 years. They eventually settled in Marietta, where they raised their children, Lynn and Alan. Ed worked for many years in management at BellSouth and later began a second career as a real estate appraiser.

While Ed had many interests, nothing in his life mattered more to him than his family. He adored his children and granddaughter and was a constant presence throughout Lynn, Alan, and Emily’s lives. Whether coaching, cheering from the sidelines, or attending gymnastics meets, soccer and tennis matches, concerts, and performances, he was always there. With Emily, he created traditions like trips to the beach and annual Black Friday shopping outings, an unlikely favorite for a man who otherwise had little interest in shopping.

Music was a constant in Ed’s life. He had a beautiful bass voice, sang for many years in the choirs at Ray Thomas Memorial Church and Northminster Presbyterian Church, and loved playing guitar. Though quiet and unassuming by nature, Ed loved to perform, whether in a local production of Les Misérables, singing with friends, or playing for others. He remained an enthusiastic performer throughout his life, always happy to pick up his guitar and sing.

Ed also had a lifelong love of the outdoors. As a young man, he shared duck and deer hunts with his father, and later adventures included a memorable bear hunt in Dare County, North Carolina, and an elk hunt in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. Over the years, he became more of an observer, enjoying the trees, birds, animals, and simply being in nature. He loved taking long walks, including many with Lynn along the Chattahoochee River.

Ed was quiet and gentle by nature, with a sense of humor that evolved from playfully sarcastic to softer over the years. His jokes came with a distinctive smile and the declaration that he was “being very, very funny.” Good news often earned a characteristic fist pump. He was unfailingly courteous and kind, and he liked to look sharp, with his hair and clothes just right.

Through 57 years of marriage, Ed and Martha spent most of their days together. He loved being with her, admired her, and was always quick to tell others how beautiful she was. In his final years, Ed received wonderful care from the staff at The Pearl Senior Living, where he and Martha continued to spend time together nearly every day. When it was time to say goodnight, Ed insisted on walking Martha to the door and would stand there waving as she drove away.

Ed is survived by his wife, Martha; his daughter, Lynn Honeycutt (Ted Fossum); his son, Alan Honeycutt (Maria Anderson); his granddaughter, Emily Patterson; and Ted’s son, Logan Fossum. He also leaves behind a large extended family he held dear. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ned and Alma Honeycutt, and his sisters, Jo and Susie.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 26, from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Azalea Park Pavilion #1, 203 Azalea Drive, Roswell, Georgia. Family and friends are invited to gather along the Chattahoochee River, one of Ed’s favorite places, to share stories, eat, sing songs, take a walk, and celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Ed’s memory to MUST Ministries or to an organization of your choice.