James Hollister Potter III

James Hollister Potter III, 95, of Beaufort, died Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at home.

He was born in Beaufort on Aug. 29, 1914, to James Hollister Potter Jr. and Adda Rhodes Potter. He graduated from Beaufort High School in 1931 and attended the University of North Carolina until the depression when he began working for the U.S. Postal Service. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1946, he returned to Beaufort. He co-owned Potter’s Grocery Store and Potter’s Dress Shop. He became a real estate broker and appraiser and served as president of the Carteret County Board of Realtors. 

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Brooks Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Eric N. Lindblade Jr. officiating.

Burial will be private.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ruth Potter, one daughter, Virginia Potter Donnell of Leawood, Kan.; one stepdaughter, Jacqueline Paul Ramus of Beaufort; three stepsons, Larry S. Paul Jr. of Havelock, Nelson G. Paul of Raleigh and Joseph B. Paul of Woodlands, Texas; one brother, Gilbert M. Potter of Beaufort; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Staton Potter; and one son, Frank Hollister Potter.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ann Street United Methodist Church, Minister’s Discretionary Fund, 417 Ann St., Beaufort, NC or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 305, Morehead City, NC 28557 or to the Boys and Girls Club of Carteret County, P.O. Box 1514, Morehead City, NC 28557.

Online condolences are available at www.brooksfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.