James "Edgar" Tippett, 98, of the Iotla Community of Macon County, died Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at his residence after a short period of declining health.

Born May 3, 1908, in the Burningtown Community, Mr. Tippett was the son of the late William T. and Hattie Baldwin Tippett. He was married for seventy years to the late Bertha Stillwell Tippett who died in 1998. In addition he was preceded in death by one son, James Robert Tippett; two sisters, Hallie T. Cansler and Nina T. McCoy and one brother, Lee Tippett. He was a farmer and worked in building houses for many years. He was an avid sportsman. Mr. Tippett was the oldest member of Iotla Baptist Church at the time of his death.

He is survived by one son, John D. Tippett and his wife Willa; one daughter Betty T. Penland and her husband, Stanley; one daughter-in-law, Helen H. Tippett; seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Steve Reeves will officiate. Burial will be in the Iotla Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and great grandsons: Bill Tippett, Stan Penland, Jr., David Tippett, Steve Tippett, Chris Donaldson, Justin Donaldson, Brandon Penland and Dustin Penland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Iotla Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1537 Iotla Church Road, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences available @www.maconfuneralhome.com