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Mr. James Milton Rumley, 78, of Cross Street, Cooleemee, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, at his home.

He was born on Oct. 15, 1941 in Guilford County to the late Carl Wilson and Emily Cora Kirkman Rumley. He enjoyed a full life that included many varied vocations. He was of the Methodist faith and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He moved to Cooleemee in 1986. His deep abiding interest was in history and in 2001 he authored, “Cooleemee: The Life & Times of a Mill Town”. As the Textile Heritage Center’s archivist, he assembled the South’s preeminent collection of mill and mill village photographs, documents and artifacts housed in local museums and at UNC Chapel Hill. He also enjoyed feeding and watching birds.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Don Rumley.

Survivors: his wife, Lynn Wells Rumley of the home; 2 sons, Lewis Rumley and Danny Rumley (Andrea); a grandson, Jonathan; 2 brothers, Carl W. Rumley Jr. (Pansy) and Philip Rumley; a stepdaughter, Casey Simpson Fernandez (Sergio); and 3 step great-grandchildren, Annalynn, Emma and Leah.

A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 3:30 p.m. at Legion Memorial Park in Cooleemee.

Memorials: Cooleemee Historical Association, PO Box 667, Cooleemee, 27014.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.