James was the son of James H. and Elizabeth E. (McLaughlin) Deaton. He married Nellie Lee Sherrill in 1939 and they had two sons: James Samuel Jr. and Perry William.

The Charlotte Observer - North Carolina
February 14, 2007

J. Sam Deaton

MOORESVILLE -- Mr. Deaton, 91, died Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center.
Born July 25, 1915 in Mooresville, he was the son of the late James and Elizabeth McLaughlin Deaton. Mr. Deaton was a 1935 graduate of Mooresville High School and he ran the commissary at Cascade Mills for over 40 years. He was formerly the secretary and treasurer for the Mooresville Volunteer Fire Department and a charter member of the Mooresville Rescue Squad. He was also a member of the Mooresville Masonic Lodge #496 AF & AM. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the J.W. Jones Bible Class. He also served as assistant scoutmaster at Central United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Sherrill Deaton; brother, Rockwell Lewis Deaton; half-sisters, Tommy D. Huron, June D. Thompson, Alma D. Stine, Annie Laurie Deaton, and also two infants half-sisters; half-brothers, George A. Deaton, Nicholas A. Deaton, Ben E. Deaton, Blyde R. Deaton, Warren H. Deaton.
Mr. Deaton is survived by his sons, Jimmy Deaton and wife, Kay of Mooresville, PR Deaton and wife, Sherry of Mooresville; grandchildren, Curt Deaton, Heather White, Jamie Deaton, Brian Deaton, Amy DeLosh; great-grandchildren, Parker Deaton, Ella Deaton, Sophie Deaton, Camryn Deaton and Skylar White.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 16 at 2:00 PM at Central United Methodist Church with Rev. Phillip DeBerry, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow the service at Glenwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, J.W. Jones Bible Class, 214 N. Academy Street, Mooresville, NC 28115.
The Deaton family is being served by Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville.