James Leland Barden

James Leland Barden, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the age of 95. He was born on May 3, 1930, to Jessie Gurley Barden and Leland Gould Barden. Known to the world as Jim, and to his family as Leland, he was an Army veteran and a graduate of the University of North Carolina. He taught at Four Oaks High School and Barton College and concluded his career after many years with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

He married Una May Lemmon in 1973 and shared with her a marriage of laughter and love until her death in 1995.

Early on, Jim began enjoying a summer home in Atlantic Beach, NC. For decades, a steady stream of family and friends benefited from his hospitality. He and Una entertained a succession of visitors, cooking lovely meals, sharing laughter on their wonderful porch, always with a dachshund close by.

He was a classical pianist, loved opera, collected art, and travelled widely. He was a lifelong avid reader, retained everything he read and followed current events closely. He was knowledgeable without being overbearing-perceptive and funny-always urbane and never pretentious.

Jim is survived by his beloved goddaughter, Noelle Talley; his nieces and nephews, Mary Margaret Hardin, Mary Newell, Richard (Ricky) Evans, Donald Hardin, and John Buhmann; and many very close cousins, too numerous to name. He also leaves behind many longtime friends whose lives were enriched by his warmth, intellect, and generosity. He was well loved and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Arrangements are entrusted to Parrish & Underwood, Parrish Funeral Home, 1351 South Pollock Street, Selma, NC. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Selma Memorial Gardens, where Leland will be laid to rest alongside his parents, and his wife, Una.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Transitions Life Care at, 250 Hospice Cir, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.parrishfh.com