James Lee Padgett

James Lee "J.L." Padgett, 71, of Harmony passed away Monday, October 1, 2018 at Davis Regional Medical Center. He was born in Forsyth County on December 3, 1946 and was the son of the late James Norris Padgett and Alice Lois Leaggins Padgett.



J.L. was a member of the last graduating class of Harmony High School. Following high school and technical college, he joined the U.S. Army and he served during the Vietnam War.



After completing his military duty, he returned home and started working at Fiber Ind. where he worked for 32 years before retiring. He was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church.



On May 16, 1986 J.L. married Judy Carol Kennedy Padgett and together they shared 30 years together before her passing on July 22, 2016.



J.L. was a man of God and he instilled that love into his children. He served as the family counselor and never shied away from giving words of wisdom and advice to others who asked. J.L. was the kind of man that never met a stranger. He was a "shirt off his back" kind of man. He had a love for fishing and woodworking. One of his best qualities in life was his quick humor. He was a practical joker who loved having a good time. No one was exempt from his jokes. J.L. will be missed by all who knew him.



In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister.



Left to cherish the memory of J.L. is his daughter, Tammy Padgett (Derrick Berrier) of Harmony, two sons, Jamie Padgett (Lisa) of Elizabeth City and Chris Padgett (Nicole) of Union Grove. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Loryn Elizabeth Fiedler of San Diego, CA, Rhyan Stacy Markland of Harmony, Tucker Lee and Dustin James Padgett, both of Lebanon, MO, Wesley Shane Padgett of Union Grove, Jenny Steele of Harmony, and Hunter Smith of Elizabeth City along with one great-grandchild, Braylie Fawn Fiedler of San Diego, CA.



Funeral services honoring the life of J.L. Padgett will be conducted at 3:00 PM Friday, October 5, 2018 at Holly Springs Baptist Church with Pastor Cliff Gwaltney officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by North Iredell American Legion Post #113 will follow in the church cemetery. The family will visit with friend Friday from 1:00 until 2:45 PM at the church. At the request of J.L., please dress comfortably. Active pallbearers will be Derrick Berrier, Cody Popecki, Rhyan Markland, Punky Francis Whipkey, Chris Campbell, and Matthew Pence.



Memorials may be made to Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 105 Mayberry Rd., Harmony, NC 28634 and online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of James Lee "J.L." Padgett.



Donations may be made to:

Holly Springs Baptist Cemetery Fund c/o Dorothy Mayberry105 Mayberry Rd., Harmony NC 28634