James Theodore Tetterton | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: July 7, 1923, Died: August 16, 2013

    James Theodore (J.T.) Tetterton peacefully passed on to join his wife and parents in the embrace of the Lord in the early morning hours of Friday, August 16, 2013.

    There will be a funeral service Monday, August 19, 2013 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Hillside Funeral Service. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens. J.T.'s four grandsons and two granddaughters will serve as his pall bearers. The service will be conducted by Greg Ramsey and long-time friend and preacher, Maxie Gavin. The family will receive friends Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Hillside Funeral Service, 4500 Hwy 264 E., Washington, NC.

    Less than two weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday at a party with his extended family, J.T. suffered a stroke. For the following month, there were good and bad periods, but he had family by his side for most hours of the days. In the final week of his life, J.T. was surrounded by his children, sisters, and other family members. They held his hand while he was resting and hummed along when he would tap his foot and try to sing along with the old hymns playing on the radio. J.T. died peacefully in his sleep with all of his children at his side. It was a fitting end to a good life.

    J.T. was born July 7, 1923 in Beaufort County to Lloyd S. and Lucy Watson Tetterton. The middle of five children, he grew up in a tenant farming family around Bath. Although times were hard, his family found ways to go to the movies and take Sunday afternoon car rides around eastern North Carolina. When he was sixteen years old, J.T. met thirteen year old Adelle McGowan at the Belhaven Fourth of July Celebration. Six years later, they eloped from an oyster roast near Adelle's home at North Creek and were married January 27, 1945. They were tenant farmers, raising three children while growing tobacco on Jamie Archbell's farm near Douglas Crossroads until 1965. After moving from the farm to their own house at White Post, J.T. went to work on the Bayview ferry. He started work as a deckhand and retired as ferry engineer in the 1980's. He also worked part-time as a house painter with Joe Braddy. J.T. and Adelle built a home on her family's property at North Creek, in the mid-1990's. J.T. moved to Brown Street in Washington, NC in early 2007 around the time of his wife's death and resided at at River Trace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the past few years.

    J.T. was a long-time member of Woodard's Pond Church of Christ. For more than 40 years, he and Adelle faithfully attended church three times a week. J.T. served as a deacon in the church and was a member of the men's singing quartet, performing on special Sundays and also at other churches during Singspiration events. J.T. and his family worked hard on the farm but also found time on some pretty Sunday afternoons to pack a picnic basket in the car and 'go for a ride' just as he had done with his own parents.

    J.T. will be most remembered for the twinkle in his blue eyes and his devotion to his wife, Adelle. He was quite a flirt with ladies, especially the aides at River Trace, and loved to playfully 'pick at' and tickle his children and grandchildren. In his later years, he always wanted his baseball hat and to watch his 'cowboy shows'. He may have been strict and had a stubborn streak a mile wide, but he leaves behind a lifetime of fond memories for his children and family.

    J.T. is survived by his three children: Faye T. Swain and husband D.S. Swain III of Washington, James C. Tetterton and wife Hope of Bath, and Jennie T. Discepolo and husband Al of Washington. He had six grandchildren: Duard S. Swain IV, Deeson D. Swain, Deanna F. Swain, James C. (J.C.) Tetterton, Jr., Candice A. Discepolo, and Alfred James (A.J.) Discepolo. He also had three great-grandchildren: Stockran Swain, Lindsay Swain and Deeson Swain II. J.T. leaves behind two loving sisters, Mamie Nobles and husband Bobby, and Ruby Slade as well as a dear cousin, Frankie Watson. J.T. was preceded in death by his wife, Adelle McGowan Tetterton, his parents Lloyd and Lucy Tetterton, a sister Mary Gurganus, a brother Julius S. Tetterton and an infant brother Lloyd N. Tetterton.

    The family would like to especially thank all of the staff at River Trace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, especially those on the 200 hall. For the past thirteen years, they provided outstanding care and love to both J.T. and Adelle. They were like family to J.T. and their love and concern is greatly appreciated by the family.