Lenue Tyson James

Lenue Tyson James Former Montgomery Herald president, publisher and editor Lenue Tyson (Nudy) James passed away in Raleigh March 10 following a brief illness. He was 91 years-old. James, along with his wife, Lola Shelton James, came to Troy in 1957 from Liberty, where he had been editor of The Liberty News from 1950-57. He had established that publication in 1950 for Siler City owner Alan Resch. The Jameses joined a local ownership group (The Montgomery Herald Publishing Company) — which included the late Dr. Charles Highsmith; the late Clifton L. Blue; and, the late Fredrick L. Taylor. Their goal was to re-establish the paper into a publication that strongly supported Montgomery County and its citizens. Over the years under James’ direction, the Herald won numerous North Carolina Press Association awards for Editorials, Photography, Column Writing, along with General Excellence. It also won a “School Bell” award in 1972, presented by the N.C. Association of Educators. That tradition continues strongly through the current staff’s efforts. He served as president of the NCPA in 1970-71. He retired from newspapering in 1988. James was born June 16, 1924, in Winston-Salem. He was educated in Winston-Salem public schools and was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1950 with BA degree in Journalism. He served in U.S. Army Air Force during World War II in the Pacific Theatre of Operations as a clerk in a headquarters unit of the 417th Bomb Group and was discharged as Staff Sergeant. After that honorable discharge, he returned to Winston-Salem and soon re-entered UNC. In 1948, he married the former Lola Shelton, whom he described “as a lifelong partner in anything I have done.” The couple had two sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren who survive: Christopher S. James of Troy, and Andrew R. James (wife, Mary Lewis James) of Raleigh; and granddaughters, Catherine Kaylee James, 18, and Elizabeth Drew James, 15, both of Raleigh. While in Montgomery County, he was involved with many activities and organizations. Those included being a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. While active there, he was a part-time Sunday School teacher and member of the board and former president of Trinity Music Academy. He served as a member of Board of Trustees of Montgomery Community College for 25 years (1983-2008), and was chairman from 1992-94. He was a founding member of the MCC Foundation, on its board of directors for 16 years and former president of that foundation. He was a former member of Montgomery Memorial Hospital Advisory Board and the Montgomery Hospital Foundation. He was a long-time member and former president of Montgomery Country Club (now Densons Creek Golf Club). He was long-time member and former president of the Troy Rotary Club (He also served as president of the Liberty Rotary Club.). James was also a former chairman of the Montgomery County Zoning and Planning Board. He was a former chairman of the Montgomery County Draft Board. He was a founding member and director of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. He served as member of the Building Committee of Montgomery County Public Library. He was a former member of West Montgomery High School Advisory Committee. He was also a former member of the John Motley Morehead Scholarship committee for Montgomery County. James received the MCC “Humanitarian of the Year” award in 2008. In October of 2011, he was honored with the Montgomery County Fund’s Humanitarian Award. March 4, 2008, was proclaimed “Lenue T. James Day” by Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. Pugh-Troy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at 10:00 am on Monday, March 14, in the Trinity UMC reception hall. A service will begin at 11:00 am in the church sanctuary. Interment will be in Troy’s Southside Cemetary following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to one of the following: The Children’s Home Society of N.C., P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro, N.C. 27415; Peacehaven Community Farm, 1458 N.C. Highway 61, Whitsett, N.C. 27377; Trinity Music Academy, 239 North Russell Street, Troy, N.C. 27371; or Montgomery Community College Foundation, 1011 Page Street, Troy, N.C. 27371. Arrangements by Pugh-Troy Funeral Home