Extracted from The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, NC)
Tuesday, June 20, 1944

DEATH CLAIMS J. A. WELLONS AT HOME HERE

Long A Leader In County Life

J. A. Wellons, 81, long one of Smithfield's most prominent and progressive citizens, died at his home here Monday afternoon about four o'clock following an illness of several weeks.

He went to a Charlotte hospital several weeks ago seeking relief but his condition did not improve and he returned to his home here about three weeks ago. All the members of his immediate family including those from distant states visited him during his last days.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at five o'clock at the residence on North Second street and interment followed in Riverside cemetery. His pastor, the Rev. B. H. Houston, Methodist minister, conducted the services.

Surviving are three sons, Robert A. Wellons of Charlotte, W. B. Wellons of Smithfield, and Lt. James A. Wellons of Smithfield and Gulfport, Miss.; four daughters, Mrs. J. C. Mace of Marion, S. C., Mrs. D. A. Dufty of Freeport, L. I., New York, Mrs. C. V. Seal of Baldwin, L. I., New York, and Mrs. N. W. Dockery of Rockingham, 12 grandchildren; two half-brothers, C. H. Wellons of Four Oaks, and Robert S. Wellons of Conway., S. C., and a half-sister, Mrs. Cora Lee, who lives in Lacoma, Ga.

Mr. Wellons, whose 81st birthday fell in May of this year, was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. J. D. T. Wellons of Four Oaks. He attended Turlington Institute in Smithfield, a well-known military and preparatory school of this section 50 years ago, and was also a member of the Turlington Institute faculty. In the fall of 1893 he received his license to practice law and on September 9, 1893, he opened a law office here where he practiced continuously until a year or so ago. At the time of his death he was the senior member of the law firm of Wellons, Martin and Wellons.

On Nov. 22, 1893, Mr. Wellons married Miss Florence Lassiter of the Spriona section of Elevation township. Last November, he and Mrs. Wellons celebrated their golden wedding anniversary by entertaining hundreds of their friends at a reception at their home here.

Mr. Wellons was a true friend to the cause of education and was never too busy to further it in whatever way he could. He was a member of the Smithfield school board for 35 years and was the chairman for much of that time. He went to every part of the county in the interest of the school consolidation program and helped to effect that system. He was active in the good roads movement of Governor Morrison's administration and pioneered for roads in his native county of Johnston.

He was a lifelong militant Democrat, and many times his challenging notice was heard in crucial moments of party caucases.