James Phillip Eury
October 5th 1936 – November 17th 1975
James Phillip Eury was born in 1936 in Stanly County, North Carolina, to Hugh Eury and Annie Livingston. He had three brothers: an older brother, Alvin Eury (born in 1934), a younger brother, Carvin Eury (born in 1939), and a half-brother, Malcolm Tucker, (born in 1933) who was conceived before Hugh and Annie were married. Among family and friends, James was affectionately known as "Brother," a nickname that stuck with him throughout his life.​
Father: Hugh Kennie Eury
Mother: Annie Rachel Livingston
Brothers: Alvin Eury, Carvin Eury
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1st Wife: Dorothy Newell
Children: Cynthia Eury, Sheila Eury
2nd Wife: Martha Ann Deaton
Children: Angela Eury
The Eury Family in early 1940s. Top Row (L to R): James and Alvin Eury
Middle Row (L to R): Hugh and Annie Eury
Bottom Row: Carvin Eury​
L to R: Alvin, Carvin, James
L to R: Alvin Eury, Hugh Eury, James Eury
L to R: James and brother Alvin with their cousins
James is on the far left
L to R: James and brother Alvin
L to R: James and brother Alvin with their cousins
L to R: James and brother Alvin with their cousins
L to R: Alvin, Carvin, James
James
This is what the classrooms looked like when James attended Hartsell School. This picture was taken Dec. 22nd, 1948, in one of the science classrooms of Hartsell School
Hartsell School
James attended Hartsell School in Concord, NC. The school is no longer operating but its former site now houses the Hartsell Recreation Center. Located at 60 Hartsell School Road in Concord. James and his family were living on Swink Street, which was just a short walk away from the school so it was quite convenient for James and his brothers to get to school. His parents ran a small grocery store which was directly beside their home on Swink Street.
James is in the middle with his brothers and cousins standing in front of Hartsell School
James Phillip Eury's School Pictures
L to R: Alvin, Hugh, Carvin, Annie, James
First Marriage
When James was in school, he met a girl named Dorothy Newell. Their young love led him to leave school to marry her, and together they had two children: Cynthia Dianne Eury born March 16th, 1954 and Shelia Ann Eury born February 14th, 1956. However, their marriage ultimatley ended in divorce.
Carvin's Death
In 1958, James and his family received devastating news that James' brother, Carvin, had passed away in an automobile accident while overseas in Germany serving in the military at the age of 19.
Carvin in his military uniform
Obituary, December 18th 1958, Charlotte Observer, Page 12
Carvin and girlfriend Joyce Elaine Lee in Germany (Electoral Palace Fountain in Trier) a few months before Carvin's death
L to R: James, Charles Vest (Carvin's friend), Alvin, Hugh
2nd Marriage
James built a career as a skilled repairman, working for Sears and Roebuck. One day, a service call took him to the Deaton family farm in Concord, where Martha Ann Deaton needed help fixing her sewing machine. Martha, a single mother, lived with her father, Harve. After quickly repairing the machine, James took a chance and asked Martha if she’d like to go out sometime. She agreed. On the evening of their first date, Martha’s young son, Daryll, unexpectedly fell ill and threw up all over the living room rug. She was ready to cancel, but her father, Harve, reassured her: "Sis, I'll look after the boy—go out and have fun.", James and Martha married on December 27, 1968, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. A few months after the wedding, James' father, Hugh Eury, died of a heart attack at his home. ​​​​
Wedding Photos
L to R: Susan Deaton, Karen Deaton, Martha Ann Deaton, James Eury, Wayne Deaton
L to R: Lois Eury, Martha Ann Deaton, James Eury, Roger Eury, Alvin Eury
L to R: Annie Eury, Martha Ann Deaton, James Eury, Hugh Eury
L to R: Cynthia Eury, Daryll Duncan, Martha Ann Deaton, Shelia Eury, James Eury
Martha Ann Deaton and James Eury
L to R: Wayne Deaton, Harve Deaton, Daryll Duncan, Martha Ann Deaton, James Eury
L to R: Nora Biggers, Martha, Daryll, James, Angela
L to R: James, Martha, Angela, Daryll
L to R: Martha and James
James at his grandmother's (Fannie Mae Livingston) 82nd birthday
Later Years
​​​James purchased land with plans to build a home, and he and Harve had already begun clearing it. However, when Martha became pregnant, they decided to buy a house instead, settling at 129 Autumn Lane in Harrisburg, North Carolina. On August 13, 1970, they welcomed their daughter, Angela Renee Eury. Wanting to give more children a loving home, James and Martha also took in a foster child, Nora Biggers. James had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed camping in his camper whenever he could. He would go on deep sea fishing trips once a year with his friends.
James and daughter Angela
James and daughter Angela
James and his family
L to R: Martha, Angela, James
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James and daughter Angela
L to R: James with daughter, Shelia, in Georgia
James and Martha at Valley Courts Motel in Tryon, NC
L to R: Fred Gibson and sons, with James in Georgia
L to R: James, Martha, Etta Meeler, Daryll, and Harve in Georgia
James and daughter Angela
James and Martha
Cynthia's Wedding
James and daughter Angela
L to R: Martha, Angela, Daryll, James, Cynthia, Shelia
Death
James Phillip Eury's Death Certificate
James in his Garden
Funeral Tribute
In 1975, he began feeling unwell. After seeking medical attention, doctors decided to perform exploratory surgery. Tragically, complications arose, and James fell into a coma. He never regained consciousness, passing away on November 17, 1975, from hepatic failure. Though his life was cut short, James Eury left behind a legacy of love, resilience, and devotion to family.
L to R: Nora Biggers, Martha, Angela, James
The only known existing video footage of James Phillip Eury