James Nathaniel Thackston Sr.

James Nathaniel Thackston, Sr. (Nat), age 88 of Hwy 181, Morganton, N.C., went to his heavenly home on Thursday, December 30, 2010. Nat was born on August 2, 1922, in Anderson, SC, a son of Edward S. and Mabel B. Thackston.

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Ann Thackston of the home; a sister Lois and husband Francis Boroughs of Greenville, SC; two sons, James N. Thackston, Jr. and wife Carolyn B. of Lincolnton, NC and Glen M. Thackston and wife Doyle of Shelby, NC; a granddaughter and 3 grandsons, 3 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive Mr. Thackston.

Nat was a member of the Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church where he served as a Church Elder, a greeter, and on the Building and Grounds Committee. Nat retired from a long career with Southern Railway and Roscoe, Snyder, and Pacific Railroad where he was regional sales director. He later worked for Colonel’s Pantry in Morganton. He was proud to be a member of the Walden Lodge #274, Greeneville, SC for 40 plus years and 32nd degree in Shriners.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 PM, Monday, January 3rd, 2011, at Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church. Family and friends will be welcomed at the church at 11 AM, with services to follow at noon. Burial will follow at 2 PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Lincolnton, N.C., where Masonic rights will be conducted.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Nat’s memory to the Quaker Meadows Presbyterian Church Building Fund,2698 NC 181 North, Morganton, NC 28655 or to the Shriners Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.