Deacon James Stover

Mr. James Stover, son of the late Selyvn and Mamie Stover of Camden,SC. was born April 28, 1933 and passed away October 13, 2018. He was a dedicated Christian husband and family man who lived to serve God in every aspects of his life.
The Stover family was a farming family in the Camden and surrounding areas so “as a boy” growing up Mr.James learned from his father and older brothers how to successfully grow and manage crops for the market. During those early years of farming, he also learned how to repair farm equipment as needed. Throughout his life, he would speak fondly of working the farm and the lessons he learned, saying, “Farming was hard work but it taught me something”.
As a young man, Mr. James was married ,to the late Mrs. Leola Jones-Stover, and moved to Camden and worked at Simpson Hardware Store for several years. Subsequently, through a close friend and family member, Mr. James took an industrial mechanic position at Cardinal Chemical Plant in Columbia, SC. In 1974, Mr. James married Mrs. Betty Woods-Stover, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Woods of Camden, SC . Together they shared a love for history, adventure and the mountains. In 1998, after 33 years of employment at Cardinal Chemical Plant he retired. He was then able to utilize his skills for building and repairing in neighbors, friends and family homes. Mr. James was an avid, lifelong hunter but he also enjoyed several other hobbies: fishing, bowling , and leading educational and guided tours for family and friends.
Mr.James gave his life to Christ as a young father. He began to understand the importance of God in his life and he was determined to live a life that pleased God. He joined the church family at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Kirkwood. There he dedicated himself to reading and studying the Bible. He joined the choir and became an active member of a men’s church community prayer and bible study. They would schedule gatherings in one anothers homes to study the bible and pray. Mr. James felt in those early years, these committed men where pillars of strength and wisdom in his spiritual growth. He was a dedicated member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church for over 62 years. He faithfully served under 5 pastors. He was the leader of the Senior Choir and President of the men’s choir, he was the Chairman of the Deacon Board, he served on the building fund committee and for 40 years he taught the Adult Sunday School class. He was always willing to help the Church in any way possible.
He is preceded in death by one daughter, Mrs, Barbara Ann Stover-Adamson, 13 brothers and sisters: Mary Stover, Robert Stover, Mittie Stover-Preston, Mable Stover, Thomas Stover Sr , Willie Lee Stover-Gilyard, Carnell Stover, Lillie May Stover-Hayes, Henry Stover Sr., Alice “Virginia” Stover-Carter, Wardell Lewis Stover, and Selyvn Stover. One granddaughter, Latesha A. Stover.
He is survived by one sister Mrs. Janie Stover-Richardson .
He leaves to cherish his faithful and loving memory his beloved wife, Mrs. Betty Jean Woods- Stover. 4 sons, Edward James Stover (Sevilla Ann Mack-Stover) of Camden, SC, John Ray Stover of Camden, SC, James L. White (Catherine Houston-White) of Charlotte, NC and Kenneth Ricardo Woods of Charleston, SC. 2 daughters, Shirley Ann Stover-Culberth (Paul Culberth ) of Charlotte, NC and Arlene J. Stover-Smith ( Kelvin E.Smith) of Charlotte, NC . He has 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, and friends

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