Jim McGinnis, of Cherryville formerly of Bates Ave. died Wed. March 4, 2009 at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Lincoln Co. on March 5, 1928 a son of the late William Auton and Ellen Bryte Leonhardt McGinnis. Jim was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church where he was a former Sunday School teacher and was a retired dispatcher with over 33 years service with Carolina Freight. Coach McGinnis was an avid baseball fan, coached Little League baseball in Cherryville for over twenty years and was inducted into the Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He found great satisfaction in watching his grandchildren play baseball and softball.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 60 years Shirley Brooks McGinnis in April 2008, two brothers Glenn and Don McGinnis, three sisters Willie Bell Roach, Ethlene Gaffney, and Ruth Edwards.
Survivors include his daughter Sharon Sigmon, son Jimmy A. McGinnis, Jr and wife Rita of Cherryville, four grandchildren Audie and Zane McGinnis and Casey and Paige Sigmon all of Cherryville, four sisters Sue Gilbert, Carole Boggs and Lib Rogers all of Lincolnton and Margaret Halter of Cherryville
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 AM at First United Methodist with Rev. Rick Fite officiating, with burial in City Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 PM at Carpenter’s Funeral Home and at other times at the home of Jimmy and Rita McGinnis.
