James Tilghman Naylor

James Tilghman Naylor, 92, of Sanford, died at his home on Monday ( 7/25/16).

Funeral Services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church.  Burial will follow at Buffalo Cemetery.

James was born and raised in Sampson County, NC and was the son of Tilghman Naylor and Gurda Daughtry Naylor.  An Army infantry veteran of World War II, he served in the European Theater and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. In 1950, James and his wife Ruth moved to Sanford where he would work as an accountant for the John C. Muse Company and later for Sanford Furniture Company.  While living in Sanford, he held leadership positions at the First Baptist Church and the Lions Club of Sanford.

He is survived by his daughters Martha N. Jobe of Mebane and Joan N. Barnes and husband John of Stokes Co. and was the dearly loved granddaddy of Laura J. Gaddy ( Tadd), Amy J. Nelson ( Scott), Jackson Barnes ( Ariane), Carla Barnes and four precious great-grandchildren, Lila, Beau, Bryn and Mira. He is survived by brothers Donnie Naylor and wife Carolyn of Roseboro and Johnny Naylor and wife Reva of Winston-Salem; sisters-in-law Louise M. Naylor of Raleigh and Maxine B. Naylor of Lumberton and brother-in-law Bobby Barefoot of Roseboro.

In addition to his beloved wife Ruth Hairr Naylor and his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Cornetha Naylor and Faye N. Barefoot, and by brothers, Gert, Bruce, Floyd, and Randolph Naylor.  His life was deeply enriched with the love of his many brothers and sisters through marriage and the nieces and nephews in his extended family.

The family will receive friends beginning at 2 p.m. Friday in the parlor at the First Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church, 202 Summit Dr, Sanford NC 27330 or to the charity of one's choice.