Addie James (Reproduced with permission from "Miss Addie's Gift: Portrait of an American Folk Artist" by Kate Merrill. )

By KATE MERRILL

Addie James, a nationally renowned folk artist, died Sunday morning July 17, 2011, in Statesville. Her death marks the passing of not only a beloved painter, but also the loss of an amazing human being whose nurturing warmth and positive attitude uplifted everyone she touched.

Born Aug. 11, 1943, in Anderson, S.C., Addie Lee Frances Maddox was the granddaughter of slaves. When Addie was very young, her family moved to Statesville, where Addie experienced her share of prejudice and inequality, yet she never was bitter. While she worked her whole life — first in the cotton fields, then in a clothing factory, and finally as an artist — perhaps Addie worked hardest at motherhood and her role as matriarch of a large, close-knit family.

Addie married twice, gave birth to five children, and acquired multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was her family’s North Star, the guiding light for all her children.

Her abiding Christian faith helped her survive the loss of her husbands, and two of her adored children. Only last summer Addie’s youngest daughter and great companion, Madaron, succumbed to breast cancer. Yet through it all, Addie moved forward with her art, poetry, and an unshakable belief that her faith would see her through.

It is not surprising that her enormous body of colorful paintings depicting family, children at play, and life the way it used to be in the South, have delighted collectors and critics alike. Former patients from Statesville hospitals will recall how Addie James made a surprise visit to their rooms, bringing the gift of a small original painting of an angel to watch over them. School children will remember the grandmotherly inspiration Miss Addie brought when she donated hours of her time to teaching elementary students. Art lovers will never forget meeting Addie at local fairs or gallery shows where they fell in love with the talented, emotionally generous painter.

As is too often the case, Addie James never saw the financial success she deserved, yet she took enormous satisfaction in the joy and hope her work gave others. Indeed, anyone fortunate enough to drift into Addie’s sphere will deeply grieve the loss of her shining spirit.

In the meantime, well more than a thousand of Addie’s paintings have been purchased by collectors from coast to coast, so her legacy will never be forgotten. Although we have lost an authentic American treasure, her love will live forever in her art.

SERVICE JULY 22

A funeral is planned Friday, July 22, at 2 p.m. at Christian Outreach of the Piedmont, 1424 Rickert St., Statesville. Pastor Glen J. Usry will officiate and burial will follow in the Belmont Cemetery. Members of the family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., but will assemble at the residence at other times. Rutledge & Bigham Mortuary Inc. is handling arrangements.

- Kate Merrill is Addie James’ biographer and the co-owner of Merrill-Jennings Galleries in Davidson. Her biography is “Miss Addie’s Gift: Portrait of an American Folk Artist.”

RELATED LINKS

See a gallery of Addie James work on Merrill-Jennings Galleries website.

Addie James (Reproduced with permission from "Miss Addie's Gift: Portrait of an American Folk Artist" by Kate Merrill. )