James “Jim” Carlton Eller, 92, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away on June 28, 2023. He went peacefully at his home with loved ones by his side.
Jim was born on January 6, 1931, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he was a lifelong resident. He attended Summit School and went on to graduate high school from Woodberry Forest School. While at Woodberry, he gained the name “Shady” due to a funny story involving a paper airplane in class. He noted that some of the happiest times in his life were spent at Woodberry. His love and appreciation for his days there led him to become a devoted supporter of the school. Jim then graduated from Davidson College.
While in college, Jim met Doris McMillan Eller. She was the love of his life. They wed after he returned from serving in the Navy and they were married 67 wonderful years. They have one daughter, Elaine Eller Stephenson, who was his pride and joy. The three of them loved to travel together and made many wonderful memories as a family.
Jim was a retired commercial and investment real estate broker. For leisure, he was an avid skier and golfer, but his greatest passion was firearms and shooting. “Shady Jim” as he was known in the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), was a decorated competitor for years, and made many great friends doing so. He could be found most nights watching western movies or Carolina basketball. He had a deep knowledge and passion for American history, Purple Martins and hummingbirds.
Jim and Doris spent their summers in Roaring Gap, which was their “happy place”. He was loved by all in the Roaring Gap community. He was a friend to everyone he met and was a true Southern gentleman. Many knew him as incredibly handy and organized.
Jim was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Roaring Gap Church. He noted that the two greatest influences in his life besides his family have been Woodberry Forest School and church.
He was predeceased by John DeWalden Eller Sr. (father) and Gertrude Seely Eller (mother), John DeWalden Eller Jr. (brother) and Aurelia Eller (sister-in-law), and Alice Eller (sister).
He is survived by his loving wife, Doris McMillan Eller; daughter, Elaine Eller Stephenson and husband, William Cowell Stephenson IV, of Roanoke, Virginia; granddaughter Seely Stephenson Nicholson and husband, Bowman James Nicholson of Raleigh; and grandson William Cowell Stephenson V and wife, Ann Woo Stephenson of Roanoke, Virginia. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Grove McMillan Nicholson, Eller Lee Stephenson, and William Snow Nicholson. He loved and supported his family with devotion.
Memorial Service is 11 a.m. Wednesday July 19, 2023 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Doris Eller Scholarship Fund at Salem College, Woodberry Forest School (898 Woodberry Forest Rd. Woodberry Forest, Virginia 22989) or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (520 Summit Street. Winston Salem, North Carolina 27101).