Obituary of James Wilder

James Ewell Wilder, 79, died Friday morning, January 21, 2011 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

Funeral Service will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Montlawn Memorial Park.

Daughter, Rita Coats has extended visitation at her home, 114 Big Branch Ct., Zebulon, NC 27597. The family will also receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

A native of Franklin County, James was born August 21, 1931, son of the late Mary Bowden Wilder and William Calvin Wilder. He was retired as a lab technician with Monsanto. James loved to garden, was an avid sports fan and stayed busy lending a helping hand to his neighbors. James was a loving husband, father, brother and friend; he will be deeply missed.

James is survived by his daughters, Wanda Schumann and her husband Robert of Raleigh, Rita Coats and her husband Verlon of Zebulon, Sandra Curington and her fianc, Darryl Mervin of Kinston; granddaughters, Melissa Curington, Tracy Coats, Jennifer Curington, Amanda Coats, Belinda Curington; grandsons; Matthew Schumann, David Curington, Jared Schumann, Dwight Curington; and one great granddaughter, Alyssa Smith; brother, William Newton Wilder and his wife JoEllen of Charlotte; his Metts family in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Metts Wilder just four months ago and his brother, George Truette Wilder.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 A. C. Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, N.C. Condolences may be made at www.montlawn.com