Obituary of James Earl Douthit

James Earl Douthit, known by his beloved family, friends, and community as “Earl”, passed away on July 6, 2023. Born in the Brush Creek Community on January 5, 1931, he was the son of the late William Monroe and Hattie Welch Douthit and preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Margie Estes Douthit; brothers; Harold, Clyde, Paul, and Claude; and sisters; Ruth Davis, Edna DeHart and Betty West. He is survived by a son, James Russell Douthit (Kathryn) of Blowing Rock, NC; daughter, Judy Ellen Couch (Gene) of Bristol, VA; grandsons, Jordan Couch (Annie Batcheller) of Nashville, TN, and Jarrod Couch (Alyssa) of Abingdon, VA; great-grandchildren, Henry, Eloise, and Birdy Couch of Abingdon, VA; and step-grandsons Jonathan Hogrefe (Izzy Straub) of Rochester, NY, and Eric Hogrefe (Rachel Whittaker) of St. Louis, Missouri. He has one surviving brother; Max Douthit (Linda) of Hood River Oregon as well as many nieces and nephews. Douthit graduated from Swain County High School in 1949. After serving four years in the United States Air Force stationed in the Philippines during the Korean Conflict, he enrolled at Wake Forest University graduating in 1956 with a BA in History and a minor in religion. Though his first employment was with a commercial bank in Asheville, NC, he returned to Swain County to a position as a social worker with the Swain County Department of Social Services, which he held for 14 years. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1967 and subsequently served as the pastor of Cold Springs Baptist Church for several years. He served as the Chief Administrator of the Swain County Hospital from 1974-1993. Upon his retirement, he stated, “One of my ambitions has been to demonstrate that it is not necessary for every high school graduate to leave Swain County for employment. Obviously, I have been more fortunate than some in that I could make a living and remain in the community.” Douthit dedicated his life to the service of his community, church, and family. Before his employment at the hospital, he sat on the hospital's Board of Directors. He was named Commissioner of the Southeastern Regional Housing Authority for Swain County, as well as the Director of the Rural Conservation Development Commission. In addition, Douthit was a director of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Twin State Development Association. He served as the local Red Cross Association’s Chairman for two years. A member of the First Baptist Church of Bryson City, Douthit served as a devoted choir member, deacon, supply pastor, and Sunday School Teacher. After his retirement, he served as a volunteer for the Food Pantry. He took great pride in attending concerts and sporting events in support of his family. A talented, self-taught musician, Douthit taught himself at a young age to play many instruments in the style of Appalachian Bluegrass and enjoyed making music with “Earl and the Boys” throughout the community. He enjoyed time in the garden, and walking with his devoted wife, Margie, in Deep Creek. A service celebrating the life of James Earl Douthit will be held at the First Baptist Church of Bryson City, on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM. The family will greet friends in the Family Ministry Center after the service. Interment will be in Swain Memorial Park following the service and fellowship time. Revs. Ted Duncan and John Tagliarini, as well as the minister of music, J. Gilbert, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Bryson City Scholarship Fund or to the charity of one’s choice. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff and residents of Bryson Senior Living and American House in Bristol, Tennessee, for the kind and caring community they provided in the last years of his life.