James Monroe Hayth, 84, of Roanoke, Va. passed peacefully on November 10, 2020.
He was born in Springwood, Va. on August 11, 1936 to Harry and Minnie Hayth. He graduated from Buchanan High School and was drafted into the U.S. Army in February of 1960. James proudly served with the 7th Army in Germany during the Berlin Crisis as a Radio Operator for the 2nd Armored Calvary. After being honorably discharged in 1962, he went on to serve three more years with the Army Reserve in Roanoke as a Drill Instructor until February 1965.
After his military service, James began working for the Virginia Department of Highways (VDOT) as a surveyor, where he eventually retired as a Senior Inspector, receiving awards for both safety and excellence. In 1974, he took a 13-year break from the Highway Department to pursue a greenhouse farming venture known as “Glory Knoll Plant Farm.” James had been a devoted member of Andrew Chapel Methodist Church in Springwood for many years, providing special music for the worship service there.
James “Check” Hayth loved Bluegrass and Gospel music and was always willing to give his time and talents anywhere needed. He was a well-known local musician, who often played banjo or guitar at bluegrass conventions and similar venues.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Minnie Hayth; three brothers, John, Junior, and Carl; and two sisters, Dasie and Ruth. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Sible Ruth Ramey Hayth; sons and daughters-in-law, Lynn and Cindy, Monty and Luana, and Bennett and Carrie; grandchildren, Lynn Jr., Terry, Christopher, Eric, Alex, Megan, Zachary, and Gabrielle; great-grandchildren, Aydin, Addis, and Halen.
