James Potts Sifford, Jr.

James Potts Sifford, Jr., 97, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024. He was born in Albemarle, NC on February 2, 1927 (Groundhog Day), to the late James Potts Sifford, Sr. and Bernice Pike Sifford. He played football and basketball in high school. He served in the Navy then attended Davidson College on a football scholarship. He received a master’s from UNC-CH and a PH-D in Education from the University of Georgia. He was a teacher and coach, an assistant principal, principal, and then Director of Research for Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System. He was noted for his work in desegregating the students in Forsyth County in the 1970's. Dr. Sifford was active in his church, Trinity Presbyterian, serving as an elder and Sunday School teacher. He and his wife, Edith, enjoyed being part of a bridge club and dance club, as well as attending UNC football games for many years. Jim Sifford was one of the biggest Carolina fans you will ever meet, a Tarheel born and a Tarheel bred!! Jim and Edith also enjoyed spending time in Siloam working on a garden and a family home, where Jim replaced the roof 3 times. They spent many weeks at Sunset Beach and traveled to many states, Jim ending up visiting 47 of them. He was an accomplished athlete, playing golf almost every Saturday, then 3 times each week after he retired in 1988. Additionally, he jogged 6 miles per day for 40 years, and even as recently as this Spring, he was walking the perimeter of his assisted living facility. Dr. Sifford was a family man, and we are happy to say he is reunited with his wife of 68 years, Edith Rawley Sifford, in Heaven, as she preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were his sister, Marion Sifford Miller, and a great-grandson, Brody Read. Surviving are his two daughters, Beth James (Mike) and Edith Marie Sifford; four grandchildren, Teryl Read (Ryan), Rebecca Stonebraker (Gabe), Sarah Penza (Rosario), and Cailee James; and six great-grandchildren, Bentley Read, Bishop Read, Caitlin Read, Evelyn Penza, Sofia Penza, and Levi Stonebraker. A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Trinity Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jon Gaska officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A private graveside service will be held for the family at Forsyth Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1416 Bolton St. Winston-Salem, NC 27103, or to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, 3330 Shorefair Dr. Winston-Salem, NC 27105. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family of Dr. Sifford.