Wednesday, September 2, 2026 11:39 am

James "Joe" Yelton, age 86, of Forest City, passed away Monday, August 31, 2026.

Joe was born December 21, 1939 in Rutherford County to the late Ernest V. Yelton and Jessie Hutchins Yelton. He worked in textiles most of his life, having worked for Drexel Mill Burlington Industries and retired from J.C. Cowan. In his early years, he played as a pitcher for the traveling American Legion Baseball team. He was a member of Spindale Fellowship Holiness Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Geneva Waters Yelton and sisters, Josephine Fish, Thelma Holland, Faye Walls, Margie Sisk and Edna Mott.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sons, Dennis Yelton (Lynn) of Sunshine, Jeff Yelton (Lucy) of Forest City, Michael Yelton (Sherri) of Forest City; daughters, Debbie Brower (Darren) of Harris and Brenda Kuhl (Michael) of Rutherfordton, 13 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild.

The funeral will be conducted at 2pm Thurs., Sept. 3 at Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dennis Yelton and Rev. Doug Carpenter officiating. Interment will follow at the Fellowship Holiness Cemetery with committal service led by Rev. Chad Sisk and Rev. Bobby Brown. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.

Memorial donations requested to Hospice of Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

An online guest registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.