James Edwin Beatty

James Edwin "Jim" Beatty, 95, passed away Monday, June 2, 2025 at UNC Hospital in Hillsborough, NC. He was born on April 3, 1930 in Kobe City, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan to Harold Edwin and Elsie Louise (Mullen) Beatty.

Jim was a 1948 graduate of Bayside High School in Queens, New York. He attended Emmaus Bible College in Toronto, Canada, followed by Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where he received a BA in English, and finally the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois where he received his MA in English Teaching. He married Lorraine Ruth Cantrall on January 22, 1961, in Springfield, Illinois.

Jim's greatest joy and passion in life came from obtaining knowledge and passing it on to others. He taught English and Literature at East Alton-Wood River High School, Greenville College, and Winston Churchill Junior College. He was the founding principal of Christian Faith Academy in Springfield, Illinois, and taught many high school subjects there as well. He and his wife, Lorraine, later served together as directors of the Washington Street Mission in Springfield, Illinois where he taught and mentored folks of all ages. Throughout his life he also studied and taught the Bible to a great range of people, from children at the Mission to adults in church services. He made the study of New Testament Greek a lifelong project and was also involved in teaching it to others on many occasions.

After retirement, Jim and Lorraine moved to Winston Salem, North Carolina to live closer to some of their grandchildren. Jim quickly became popular with the neighborhood children for his willingness to join a kickball or baseball game whenever asked. He also greatly enjoyed being able to serve as an elder and teacher at Parkway Bible Chapel. In retirement he had more time for his lifetime hobby of walking and hiking. From his earliest days as a young boy in Kobe, Japan climbing the neighborhood hills to his last days at Pittsboro Christian Village walking his daily laps around the campus, he treasured being able to use the strength God granted him to appreciate the beauty of creation.

Jim is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Roth(Thomas), his sons James A. Beatty(Julia) and David Beatty(Nancy); his grandchildren James M. Beatty, Rebecca Beatty, Andrea Beatty, John Beatty, Natalie Feild(David), Colin Roth(Sarah), Evan Beatty, and Alexander Reitz(Stephanie Harrington); and great-grandchildren Joni Cornelius, Melvina Reitz, and Paul Reitz. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Helen Pierce and brother-in-law David Cantrall(Peggy), and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine Ruth Beatty, his parents Harold and Elsie Beatty, his sister Katherine Beatty, his brother John Beatty, his sister Elizabeth Shorten and her husband Charles, his twin brother Philip Beatty and his wife Ruth, his brother-in-law Lawrence Cantrall and his wife Delores, his brother-in-law Floyd Pierce, his sister-in-law Connie Cantrall, his daughter-in-law Joni Beatty, and his nephews John Beatty, Paul Beatty, and Daniel Cantrall.

A memorial service will be held 2:00pm Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Pittsboro Bible Assembly, 1825 East Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Donations in honor of Jim can be made to the Pittsboro Christian Village Benevolent Fund:
https://donorbox.org/pittsboro-christian-village

Select Benevolent Fund from the Designation drop-down if it is not automatically displayed.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Beatty family.