James Gilbert Register, 82, of Whiteville, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

A native of the Crusoe Island community, James was born on August 16, 1943, son of the late Minos John Register of Lena Spivey Register. In addition, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Leon Register, Frank Register, and Helen Brown.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27th, 2026, at Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church in Crusoe, with burial to follow in the Minos Register Family Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2:00-2:45 p.m. prior to the service on Friday at the church.  

Upon graduating from Nakina High School, James honorably served with the 8th Airborne Infantry Division. Later, James furthered his education by attending Southeastern Community College, Insurance Adjusting School, Brunswick Community College, and Real Estate School. He was a jack of all trades and carried many roles throughout his working career, such as: licensed insurance agent, licensed investment advisor, Natl. Assoc. Securities dealer, founder of Master Mart Corporation in 1989, founder of Register Rental & Land Development in 1992, served six years on Columbus County Planning Board, and retired from Federal Paper Company with 33 years of service.

The surviving family includes his loving wife, Wanda Kay Simmons Register; two children, Jami Register (Kim), Kelli R. Brock (Drew); grandson, Logan James Register; two siblings, Mary Funderburk (Wayne), Martin Register (Gail); host of loving nieces and nephews.