James Merriotte Eaves

James Merriotte Eaves, 91, husband of Eunice Rogers Floyd Eaves, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, at a local nursing facility.

Born Jan. 6, 1919, in Chattanooga, Tenn., he was a son of the late Charles Burgin Eaves and Leila Davis Eaves. He attended the University of North Carolina; the University of Maryland; graduate of the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School; the U.S. Naval School of Nursing and Pharmacy; and the U.S. Naval School of Journalism. He was also a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management and Advanced Management Studies, University of Georgia, and received a certificate of completion in accounting and business administration from Clevenger College.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1939 until 1959 and spent his final 10 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He served as a physician's assistant qualified for duty independent of a medical officer and also as a member of the U.S. Naval team that set up new hospitals during World War II. He served as senior medical department representative on several vessels and units of the U.S. Marine Corps. He served both in the European and Pacific Theaters during World War II and in Korea during the Korean War. He was highly commended for his service in the Navy, receiving five Bronze Stars, Commanding Officer's Commendations and three Battle Stars. He was a life member of the Sumter Marine League and was also a plank owner of the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

He was a member of Wise Drive Baptist Church and the Sumter Kiwanis Club.

He served as manager of the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce and secretary of the Sumter Merchants Association from 1960 until 1984.

Mr. Eaves was a life member of the Sumter County Historical Society and served as its secretary for more than 25 years. He also served as chairman and later ex-officio member and custodian for the Sumter County Historical Commission. He was a former member of the advisory board of the Salvation Army and was a member of the American Legion Post 15 and former secretary of the Legion Home Committee. He was a member of the founding board of the Sumter County Museum and an active participant in the founding of the Sumter Gallery of Art in the Elizabeth White House. He was a recipient of several awards from the City of Sumter for his work on bond referendums, beautification, the Iris Festival and Crime Stoppers. He was active in the Eastern Star and White Shrine and was a 32nd degree Mason as a member of the Carolina Consistory out of Charlotte, N.C., for more than 25 years. He was appointed a member of the Old Exchange Building in Charleston, S.C. Commission by the Legislative Assembly. He served on the Sumter Area Technical College and Clemson College planning committees.

Mr. Eaves took a great interest in genealogy over the past 50 years and was a member of the Sumter Genealogical Society and several national genealogical groups. He had received many credits from authors of family histories on the national level.

Mr. Eaves was twice married, first to the late Johnnie Mae Floyd Eaves.

Surviving are his wife, Eunice Rogers Eaves of Sumter; three sons, John Eaves and wife, Josephine, of Sumter, Jimmy Eaves and wife, Gaye, of Sumter and Ronnie Eaves and wife, Tammy, of Myrtle Beach; a sister, Faith Beck Choate of Florence; four grandchildren, Brooke Eaves, Sarah Smith and husband, Jonathan, Chris Eaves and Brett Eaves; and one great-grandchild, Carter Banks Smith.

He was predeceased by three sisters and four brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today in the Chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Dearld B. Sterling officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park with military honors.