James Madison Easter

Mr. James Madison Easter, 89, of Mount Airy, the last surviving member of The Easter Brothers, passed away early Saturday morning, December 11, 2021, at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin. Mr. Easter was born April 24, 1932, in Surry County, one of four sons born to the late James Lincoln and Lillie Mae Tolbert Easter. When James was eight years old, his eldest brother, Russell, taught him how to play the guitar. As the brothers began playing together into their teenage years, life for James Easter took a turn for the worse and he was imprisoned briefly. While there, he formed a bluegrass-country music act, simply known as The Prison Band. Stemming from his experiences, James Easter co-wrote their most successful song, “Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings On Me.” Meanwhile, in 1947, Russell formed a band, the Green Valley Quartet, the forerunner to The Easter Brothers. Over the course of the next two years, as first James and then Edd began to play, this combination became more formal calling themselves The Easter Brothers and the Green Valley Quartet. They went on to become one of the foremost bluegrass gospel groups in the world, performing together for more than 60 years. In 1979, they gave up their day jobs and became a full-time touring group. In recent years, James enjoyed spending most of his time at his “Little Church,” Mayberry’s Music Center, where he witnessed for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife, Denise Ray Easter of the home; a daughter, Teresa Shockley of Mount Airy; two sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Sharon Easter of Woodland, AL, and Jeff and Sheri Easter of Lincolnton, GA; his grandchildren, Misty and James Jenkins, Madison and Shannon Easter, Josh and Monyca Easter, Molly and Brody Thomas, Morgan and Landon Smith, Maura Easter, Zane and Hunter Shockley, and Destiny Shockley; his great-grandchildren, Dakota Easter, Bryson Jenkins, Zach Jenkins, Alexis Easter, Riley Easter, Jackson Easter, Zavior Shockley, Caizor Shockley, Eastlee Thomas, Emalynn Thomas, Ryman Smith, Miles Easter, and Rhythm Easter; a great-great-grandchild, Grecyn Easter; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Easter was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Louise Sechrist Easter; a son, James Wade Easter; a son-in-law, Clark Shockley; and three brothers, Edward Franklin Easter, Simon Peter Easter, and Russell Lee Easter. A service of worship and celebration of James’ life will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 1:00 PM at Temple Baptist Church, with the Rev. Rodger Easter, the Rev. Keith Runels, the Rev. Bill McKinney, and the Rev. Chuck Donovan officiating. Burial will follow in the Miracle Waters Worship Center Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Temple Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Mayberry’s Music Center (James’ Little Church), 117 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.