James "Jim" Wyatt Valentine

Jim was a Raleigh native, lived in and loved it most of his life. He was born at Rex Hospital on August 4, 1953, to Melton Ernest Valentine and Martha Yelverton. From Eastern NC to the Piedmont Winston-Salem, Jim had uncles, aunts and cousins, and was able to visit and know various towns in our State.

Growing up near NC State, he attended Fred Olds, Martin Junior High, and Needham Broughton High School. During this time, he ran track, played the saxophone and became quite proficient in choral music. Jim sang in Ensemble and was selected statewide as a tenor for Governor’s School. He was in various musicals. His favorite part was Lt. Cable in South Pacific. Always friendly and willing to serve, he was in Service Club and three years on Sports Committee, serving as Chairman his Senior year.

He was remembered as having a kind heart and happy disposition.

Jim was accepted at Wake Forest University, then transferred to NC School of the Arts. It was during this time that he suffered a debilitating bout with Bi-Polar. He was limited in working in the hospitality and restaurant industry. So many people, both family and strangers, were kind and generous. He and his mom enjoyed gardening together. A favorite restaurant was Casa Carbone where Jim would enjoy cheese pizza and shrimp cocktail. He liked to tell of the adventures he had on a Student Abroad European trip to Italy, Spain, France, and England.

Jim was blessed to be able to stay in Raleigh and be cared for by many special people. The last 12 years he lived at Blessed Home and enjoyed his time and interactions there. He had a church on the corner of Six Forks he could walk to.

Jim was predeceased by his father, Val, and his mother, Martha.

His survivors include his older brother, Val Valentine, Jr. of Wilmington, NC, and his children, Skip (Sarah) of Tarboro and Hope of Virginia Beach; and his older brother, Keith Valentine (Sandra) of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by his great-nephews and Skip's sons, Beau and Court of Tarboro; Keith and Sandra’s children, John of Chattanooga, TN, Katherine (Owen) of Los Angeles, CA, and David (Kathryn) of Atlanta, GA - who have two children, Jack and Luke.

On Monday, August 31, 2026, there will be a celebration of his life at First Baptist Church, 99 N Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601 at 1:00 pm, with a reception to follow. This was Jim’s home church, and there are loved ones who remember him there. Jim will be laid to rest with a graveside ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please offer any contribution in memory of Jim and celebration of his life to First Baptist Church of Raleigh, Broughton High School Chorus and Ensemble, or Blessed Home, LLC, 3113 Edgetone Dr., Raleigh, NC 27604.