James Dalton Wordsworth, Jr.

James Dalton (Jim) Wordsworth, Jr., 91, of Rocky Mount, NC passed away on May 22, 2021 with his beloved wife Mary Elizabeth (Mary Lib) Scott Wordsworth by his side. He was born on February, 18, 1930 in Whitakers, NC to the late James Dalton and Alberta (Pollard) Wordsworth, Sr. He was a 1952 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a Business degree and major in Human Resources. After college he joined the Army where he served on the teaching staff and was located in Columbia, SC. After leaving the army, Jim went to work with the NC State Personnel Department from 1954 – 1956.

Jim was transferred to Woman’s College in Greensboro, NC in 1956 to be Personnel Director for Non-Faculty staff. From 1961 – 1970 he was Personal Director at North Carolina National Bank (NCNB) in Greensboro and Charlotte. In 1970 he became Vice President of Human Resources for the 16 Belk-Tyler store division. After retiring from Belk’s in 1995, he pursued his lifelong talent for art and became a watercolor artist at the BelAir Studio in Rocky Mount. He later formed Carolina Gallery and continued for many years to take great satisfaction from painting scenes primarily from eastern and coastal North Carolina.

Jim was married to and is survived by Mary Elizabeth (Mary Lib) Scott Wordsworth, his beloved wife of 63 years. He is also survived by his brother, Albert Grey (Al) Wordsworth of Wilmington, NC; his four children: Eric Wordsworth of Rocky Mount, NC; Lynne (Wordsworth) Nelson of Fuquay-Varina, NC; Alan Scott (and wife Robin) Wordsworth of Davidson, NC; and Mike (and wife Cindy) Wordsworth of Rocky Mount, NC. He has seven grand-children: Trevor Nelson (deceased) of Fuquay-Varina, NC; Lauren (Wordsworth) Mielke (and husband Brian) of Raleigh, NC; Ryan (and wife Kari) Wordsworth of Greenville, NC; Brett Nelson of Fuquay-Varina, NC; Katie (Wordsworth) Addison (and husband Herman) of Lexington, NC; Stephen Wordsworth of Rocky Mount, NC; and Allison (Allie) Wordsworth of Raleigh, NC. He had 5 great-grand-children.

A Funeral Service to celebrate James’ life will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church, 200 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Rev. Bill Grisham officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. A visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM prior to the service in the Narthex of First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, NC, or Nash General Hospice Care, Rocky Mount, NC.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.