Elizabeth Hopewell James

Elizabeth was born on December 23, 1937 in New Bern, North Carolina to Elizabeth Dawson Hopewell and Guy Herman Hopewell, Sr., one of five children.

Elizabeth is survived by her children, son Brian Creelman and wife Luana of Melbourne, Florida, her two daughters Sandra Creelman and Michele Daniels of New Bern, North Carolina, and her granddaughter Stephanie Creelman, also of Melbourne, Florida.

She is also survived by her oldest sister Vida "Maxine" Dawson of New Bern, NC, and younger brother G. Robert Hopewell and wife Janeth, of New Bern, NC. Many nieces and nephews, and extended of members of the Hopewell and Dawson family through out NC and VA.

She is predeceased by her parents, her oldest brother Guy Hopewell, Jr. of Atlantic Beach, NC and older sister Rachel Kamil of Hollywood, Florida.

The family will hold a public visitation on Thursday night, July 20th, 2023 from 6 PM to 8 PM at Cotten Funeral Home in New Bern, North Carolina.

Funeral Services will be held at Spring Garden Baptist Church on Spring Garden Road, New Bern, NC at 2 PM on Friday, July 21st, 2023. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. She will be laid to rest in Greenleaf Memorial Park immediately following services.

The family of Elizabeth would like to thank all of the caregivers who assisted her during these last few months and all those of the community who have expressed their sympathy and condolences. If you wish to do so by mail, send to her address, 1723 Spring Garden Rd. New Bern, NC 28562.

Elizabeth Jean or "Lib" graduated in 1956 from Jasper High School, where she also played basketball for the Jasper team. In June of 1956 she married Hugh Creelman and moved to Philadelphia, PA eventually becoming a mother of three. In 1965, Elizabeth moved back to New Bern and, with the help of her parents, began raising her 3 children on the same farm she grew up.

Elizabeth had many careers over the years, but always as a business owner. Starting with a wig shop in New Bern, NC, then opening a Deli/Gourmet shop in Havelock, The Country Gourmet, one of the first in the area. In 1974 she married Richard Shull James of Maple Hill, NC and moved her family to Pender County.

As a new wife, her efforts turned to supporting her husbands career as an attorney, her volunteer work, and participating as an active member of the Presbyterian church and Presbyterian Women's Council. In the early 80's she was a major contributor in helping to raise money and break ground on Pender County's first rural health clinic, Penslow Rural Health Clinic in Holly Ridge NC, where she served on the Board of Directors and chairwoman for many years.

In the early to mid 80's, on her own again, she went back to school and became a Real Estate Broker, opening her business in Hampstead, NC and serving that community for almost 20 years. During that time she also served as a board member and chairwoman for Hampstead Chamber of Commerce.

Retiring in the early 2000's, she lived out the remainder of her life doing what she loved, spending time with family, keeping in touch with extended family and friends, meeting people, collecting old memorabilia, continuing to be an active Republican. She continued to reside on her farm, but also lived part time in Mrytle Beach, SC where her youngest daughter resided, helping her start up a business.

Elizabeth was always known for her kind heart, her hard work ethic, which kept her young all these years, and her love of family. She never met a "stranger", always curious and interested in others.

Come join us on Thursday or Friday to celebrate her life and wish her peace.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Elizabeth Hopewell James. Online condolences can be made to www.cottenfuneralhome.com.