James Sanford Pressley

Dr. James S. Pressley passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2023 in Cary, NC. He was born October 27, 1939 to Elizabeth Rice Pressley and Reverend James Benton Pressley in Monroe, NC. Dr. Pressley is survived by his wife, Frances King Pressley, originally of Wilmington, NC. He is also survived by his son, James M. Pressley (spouse, Victoria Simek) of Deerfield, IL; and his siblings, Linda Pressley of Raleigh, NC, and Tim Pressley (spouse, Debbie) of Albemarle, NC. Jim graduated from Benton Heights High School in Monroe, NC in 1957 and went on to become a three-time graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, culminating in receiving his Ph.D. in Education Administration in 1980. He also received a Masters in Education from Southern Baptist Theological Institute.

After serving churches as a Minister of Music and Christian Education, Dr. Pressley joined North Carolina public schools in roles as a teacher supervisor and administrator. He served as the superintendent of schools for the Woodbridge School District in Bridgeville, DE from 1981-1986. He then returned to North Carolina as a professor in East Carolina University’s School of Education. Among his many professional accomplishments there, he was instrumental in creating the university’s doctoral program in education administration. He also served as the director of the school’s Foundations, Research and Media department until his retirement in 2002. After retiring to Chocowinity, Jim and Frances moved to the Brightmoor facility in Wilmington, NC, and later to Glenaire in Cary.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the NC Foundation for Public School Children.