James Odis "Jimmy" Hildreth

POLKTON - On Thursday, September 3, 2026, Mr. James Odis "Jimmy" Hildreth, 72, passed away while doing what he enjoyed, fishing in Anson County.

Funeral services will be 3:00 PM, Thursday, September 10, 2026 in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home with Rev. John Greene and Rev. Mark Swaringen officiating. Interment will follow in Griffin Cemetery.

The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service Thursday and other times at the home.

Jimmy was born February 7, 1954 in Anson County, NC and was a son of the late James Andrew Hildreth and the late Leta Ann Helms Hildreth. He was a graduate of Bowman High School.

He worked for more than 30 years with the North Carolina Department of Transportation with the bridge maintenance department. He was active in his community, having served as a Town Council Member for the Town of Polkton and leader of Boy Scout Troop # 26 in Polkton for more than 10 years. He was also a member of The Compassionate Friends of North Pee Dee.

Jimmy was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church and a former member of Polkton Baptist Church where he had served as Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent and as a Deacon..

He dearly loved his home town of Polkton and often told people, any day out of Polkton was a day waisted.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Debra Kay Guion Hildreth; his grandchildren, Wesley Hildreth and wife, Liv of Wadesboro, Kaylee Ann Hildreth and James Ray Hildreth both of Peachland; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Van Hildreth of Peachland; his sisters, Annie Griffin of Wingate and Debbie Goodwin (Russell) of Polkton; and his nieces and nephews and their families.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Jamie Lee Hildreth, Jeffery Lynn Hildreth and Joseph Eric Hildreth; his brother, Johnny Lee Hildreth and by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl Guion and Frances Guion.

Jimmy loved the Lord, his wife, grandchildren, family, fishing, Atlanta Braves, Carolina, and John Wayne, mostly in that order. He also loved to cook for people and will surely be remembered for his pound cake, strawberry cake, and banana pudding. If there was a fundraiser, he would be glad to bake cakes, all you had to do was ask. He often took special requests from his grandkids, nieces, nephews and friends.

He often hosted catfish stews during the ACC Tournament, inviting his family and friends from around the Town of Polkton.

Jimmy also loved Christmas. He always decorated his yard to the max for Christmas, making treats and shopping. He loved the magic in the eyes of the childen and often volunteered to be Santa Claus and Walmart.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Care of: Alice Cox, 12509 Highway 742 N, Polkton, N.C., 28135, 

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com