James McGuire, Jr and Mary and Jane McGuireJames McGuire, Jr. and Mary and Jane McGuire
Obituary of James McGuire, Jr. from the Davie Record, May 18, 1915 (See Scan 01.pdf in this same folder
for the full article.):
Mr. James McGuire, Jr., son of Dr. James McGuire, died at a sanatorium in Statesville where he
had been taken for an operation. He had been ill for two weeks. Mr. McGuire was a prominent
businessman in Mocksville serving as vice president of the Bank of Davie, secretary and treasurer of the
Mocksville Chair Company, and as a county commissioner. Mr. McGuire was born in Davie County in
1865 and was 50 years old at the time of his death. He was buried in Joppa Cemetery. He was survived
by his wife and two small children.
“Mary And Jane To Retire!”, Davie County Enterprise Record, June 26, 1975, Page 4. (See Scan 02.pdf in
this same folder for the full article.)
The McGuire sisters will both retire at the end of June and begin a new venture in life. One of the first
things they plan to do is take a tour of California and north into Canada.
Mary retired from the Agricultural Extension Service after 14 years. However, her first job after finishing
college at UNC-Greensboro was in the Clerk of Court’s Office. She also worked for Hanes Chair and
Furniture Company, Rankin, Sanford Company, Hendrick’s Furniture Company, and Meroney Hardware.
She also served three years in the U.S. Air Force, most of which were at Seymour-Johnson Air Force
Base. She is not sure how she will feel about not working but does not plan to be idle. She is a member
of the Davie County Hospital Auxiliary and plans to become more active with that group. She also plans
to play more golf with her sister Jane.
Jane has almost 40 years of service with the Davie County Board of Education and is retiring so that she
and Mary can do more things together. Jane is also a member of the Davie County Hospital Auxiliary and
plans to be more active. She is also a member of the Historical Association and plans to learn more
about Davie County history. Jane is a graduate of UNC-Greensboro and Appalachian and she planned to
become a teacher. Because funds were not available she went to work instead.
Mary and Jane have always lived in Mocksville and built a home on land that originally was owned by
their grandfather, Dr. James McGuire, about 19 years ago. Jane loves working around the farm and in
the gardens while Mary prefers cleaning.
James McGuire, Jr. born September 24, 1865, died May 4, 1915
March 6, 1912 married Hattie Betts McGuire born May 19, 1878,
died December 29, 1966
Two children Mary Betts McGuire born January 19, 1913
Jane Eccles McGuire born January 6, 1915
The following are excerpts from a presentation made by James W. Wall, Davie County Historian, at a
meeting of Joppa Cemetery, Inc., on September 23, 1990. (The complete presentation is in Scan 03.pdf
in this same folder.)
Mary and Jane McGuire left a legacy of their interest in, concern for, and love of others. They
supported causes and programs to benefit the greater community throughout their lives and
continued that support through various gifts at their deaths.
They bequeathed funds to continue programs of the First United Methodist Church of
Mocksville in support of their church life.
Recognizing the need for education beyond high school, they designated a substantial sum to
establish a James McGuire Scholarship fund to help Davie County students pursue higher
education.
Jane had a deep interest in local history. She and Mary left a very generous gift of money,
letters, papers, books, artifacts, and real estate to the Davie County Library and History Room.
Mary and Jane also regarded Joppa Cemetery as a hallowed family resting place. Their gift to
Joppa Cemetery, Incorporated would allow for the preservation of this peaceful and historic
place.