Reverend James Wesley Gwyn, Sr. was born on March 17, 1916, in Jonesville, NC and departed this life on April 9, 2012 in Raleigh, NC. He was the son of the late York and Charity Gwyn. He attended public school where he graduated from Lincoln Heights High School in 1935. He served in the U.S Army during World War II and saw action in France. He married Bernice Hickerson on April 2, 1942.

Upon completing his military obligation, he continued his education earning a Bachelor's degree from Clark College in Atlanta, GA (1948) and his graduate degree from Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA (1951). While at Clark, he pledged with the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Having received his call to the ministry at a young age and upon completing his formal education, he was ordained in the Methodist Church (currently the United Methodist Church) in 1948. Thus, began a 33 year devotion to ministering to the needs of people. He served as pastor in Ramseur NC, Oxford NC (St Peter's), Winston-Salem NC (St. Andrews and St Paul) and Greensboro, NC (Raleigh's Crossroad). From 1963 to 1968, he served in various leadership roles including conference treasurer, District Superintendent for the Greensboro District and District Superintendent of the Central District of the United Methodist Church. Even though he retired from active service in 1981, he continued to minister to the needs of former members, brethren in ministry, family and his many friends. He often said, "ministers never retire."

After the death of his beloved Bernice in 1993, he married Bessie Parker (deceased) in 1996.

The union of James and Bernice produced four loving children, Andrea, Sylvia Ann (deceased), James, Jr., and Kenneth Hickerson. In addition to his children, he is survived by two sisters-in-law, Virginia Long and Roberta Harris of Ronda, NC; a son-in-law, Julian T. Powell of Cary NC, two daughters-in-law, Marie Harris Gwyn and Mary Scott-Gwyn of Dallas, TX; four grandchildren, Wesley Keith Gwyn (Malinda Gibbons-Gwyn), Phaedra Marie Gwyn, Tiffany Michele Powell-Wiley ( Kenneth L. Wiley, Jr.) and Theodore Wesley Gwyn; one great-grandchild, Graecie Mae Gwyn, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Saturday, April 14, 2012 at St. Andrews Methodist Church, 1840 Butler St. Winston Salem, NC with Reverend Ronnie Roseboro officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 1pm until 2pm on Saturday at the Church. Flowers should be sent in care of Russell Funeral Home, 822 Carl Russell Ave. W-S, NC 27101 or memorials can be made to the Crisis Control Ministry, 200 East Tenth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.