The City of Lenoir City Council extends condolences to the family of Senator James T. Broyhill, who passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at the age of 97 years old.
Statement from City of Lenoir Council
"We were sad to hear of the passing of Senator James Broyhill, and we extend our condolences to his family and close friends. Senator Broyhill was a pillar of Lenoir, Caldwell County, and North Carolina. He started his career in his family's company, Broyhill Furniture Industries, which his father founded here in Lenoir. He served as President of the Lenoir Chamber of Commerce, was named "Young Man of the Year for Lenoir and Caldwell County" in 1957 by the Lenoir Jaycees, and he was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Lenoir where he taught Sunday School and was a member of the choir. Senator Broyhill then served in the United States Congress for 24 years, both in the House of Representatives and Senate. The Lenoir Post Office and the section of US 321 between Hickory and Blowing Rock, NC, are named in his honor. In 1980, Senator Broyhill introduced legislation which was approved by Congress and signed by then President Jimmy Carter designating the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT). The OVNHT runs through Caldwell County and Lenoir and is part of the City's greenway system. We are grateful for everything Senator Broyhill has done for the City of Lenoir, our community, our state, and our country. He was loved by many, and he will continue to be loved and remembered."
- Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor
- Crissy Thomas, Mayor Pro Tem
- Jonathan Beal, Councilman
- Kent Greer, Councilman
- Todd Perdue, Councilman
- Ike Perkins, Councilman
- Ralph Prestwood, Councilman
- David Stevens, Councilman
Mr. Broyhill's obituary is online at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/winstonsalem/name/james-broyhill-obituary?id=47563996.
Photo by Ed Broyhill | City of Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons, left, poses with Senator James. T. Broyhill, center, and City Manager Scott Hildebran on Dec. 16, 2015. Senator Broyhill visited Lenoir to receive a commemorative picture of the celebration of Fort Crider. In the 1700s, Colonial Fort Crider stood on the site of the current Lenoir High School, Senator Broyhill's alma mater. Fort Crider was also part of the original Overmountain Victory Trail march to the Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolutionary War.