James Anderson Poland

September 4, 1938 - May 19, 2020

James Anderson Poland, 81, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2020. He was born September 4, 1938 in Nash County to the late Elmer and Lessie Winstead Poland. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers Sylvester, Eugene “Brother”, and Carlton Poland. If you were to ask 100 people who James Poland was, you would likely get 100 different answers. You may hear things like a handyman, a welcomer, a gospel singer, a supervisor, a jokester, a Godly man and deacon, an upholsterer or maybe a “jack of all trades”. James was indeed all of these at some point in his life. He was all of this and so much more. James graduated from Coopers High School in 1958. During those high school years, he met his “shug”, Joyce Case. In November 1959, he married her. And by mid-1970, together they had built a beautiful family of five with their three daughters. He spent most of his adult working years with Southern Piping Company (SPC), from March 1982 until his retirement from there July 2005. James also worked many years in furniture manufacturing and upholstery, automobile transport. He was a lifelong craftsman. His final working years were completed as a loyal and dedicated member of the Cornerstone Funeral Home family. James was a very faithful and dedicated husband and daddy to his three girls that he loved so much. He was a genuine example of a Godly provider and leader for his home and family. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of almost 61 years Joyce C. Poland; daughters Gail Best (James), Kim Tyson (Randy), and Tammy Ricks (Sean); brothers Tom, Alvin and Jerry Poland; sisters Dell Carpenter (Harry) and Tempie Dillard (Hughes); grandchildren Brittany Atkinson, Joshua Best (Caroline), Troy Tyson (Noel), Gracyn Janning (Wyatt), Griffin Dreyfus, and Laki Ricks; great-grandchildren Zoey and Cannon Bullock, and Marly Best. Visitation with family and friends will be Tuesday, May 26, 2020 from 12:30-2:00 PM with funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Cornerstone Funeral Home & Cremations with Rev. C.J. Cauble and Rev. Daniel Moss officiating. Burial will be at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. James will be lying in repose Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 8:30-5:00PM, Friday May 22, 2020 from 8:30-5:00 and Tuesday, May 26, 2020 from 8:30-11:30 AM for public viewing. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to a charity of your choice, or Southside Baptist Church.