Mr. James Douglas McEachern

      James Douglas McEachern aka “Pumpkin” was born in Mullins, SC, on March 1, 1937, as the 3rd child of his parents Aaron and Hattie McEachern. James enjoyed his early years growing up in Marietta, NC. He received his early education at Marietta Elementary School and at Rosenwald High School. Upon graduating, he started his barber business by cutting hair on Saturdays. He moved to New Haven Connecticut and started working in the barber shop with his older brother Linwood. He was later hired by G&O Manufacturers making radiators. He worked there many years before retiring and returning to NC. He was self employed and delivered newspapers for the Robesonian.

At an early age James joined Turner Station AME church where he loved singing, playing the organ, the piano, and the keyboard. While in New Haven, Connecticut, he joined St. Matthew’s church where he sang! When James returned to NC, he returned to his home church,  and became the minister of music until his health declined. He was a member of the Gospel choir and the Male choir. He became the president of the Big Six Male Chorus after his brother Linwood died.

James was preceded in death by: his parents Mr. Aaron and Mrs. Hattie McEachern; 3 brothers — Linwood (Katrina) McEachern, William McEachern, and Larry McEachern; 3 sisters — Burnell Commodore (James), Annie Grace McEachern, and Alice Page (Jasper); and 1 bonus grandson Breon Lee Gaylor.

James leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Carolyn, 4 children born during a previous marriage: daughter Gail McEachern, son Douglas McEachern, Sr. (Valarie), son Michael McEachern (Isabelle), and daughter Sylvonia Spencer (Jeremiah);  2 bonus children: son Timothy Gaylor (Jeanette) and daughter Felicia Gaylor; 3 sisters: Janice Brooks (Bishop Theodore), Barbra Hatcher (Harry), Letha McEachern; 2 sisters-in-love: Georgia McEachern and Ana McEachern; Grandchildren: 5 grandsons Douglas McEachern Jr., Malcolm and James McEachern, Christopher and Corey Spencer; 2 granddaughters Lauren Umeugo (Zerennadi) and Lezlie McEachern; 3 bonus granddaughters: Delsie Jackson (CJ), Darece and Chandra Gaylor. 4 great grandchildren: Simone and Nia Umeugo, and Kyler and Kaysen McEachern.

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