John Henry James
01/09/1943 - 02/05/2023
Funeral service will be held 12 noon EST, Friday, February 17, 2023 at St. John A.M.E. Church, Ft. Mitchell, AL with Rev. Samuel Smith, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 1-5 p.m. EST.
John Henry James was born January 9, 1943, in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. He was the son of the late Frank James and the late Leila Golden James. On Sunday evening, February 5, 2023, he made his transition to life eternal.
John attended the Russell County School System and graduated from Mount Olive High School in 1962. In 1966, he graduated from Alabama State University and received a degree in Sociology. John was drafted in the United States Army in 1966 and received an Honorable Discharge in 1968. Later that year, John was employed with IBM in Huntsville, Alabama and he remained with the company for two years. In 1970, he was admitted to Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall Law School where he was awarded a Juris Doctor Degree in 1973. Several years later, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Texas Southern University Jesse H. Jones School of Business.
After employment with Peat Marwick Mitchell, an accounting firm, he opened his law practice in Houston, Texas. He later returned to Alabama and was employed by the Community College System where he retired in 2012.
John was nurtured as a child in The Saint John A.M.E Church in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. After moving to Houston, Texas, he united with South Wesley A.M.E Church serving as a Steward under the leadership of Retired Presiding Elder (then Pastor) Johnny E. Jennings. He later united with the St John’s A.M.E Church in Montgomery Alabama. Upon his return to Houston, he reunited with South Wesley. Although he moved several times, St. John A.M.E in Fort Mitchell was always an integral part of his life.
John was a Member of Big Brothers of Houston, life member of the NAACP Houston Chapter, and a member of the Sigma Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Additionally, he was active in civic and community activities, especially assisting legislators in political campaigns.
John was an avid supporter of education. When he met young people, his primary conversation with them related to their plans to enhance themselves by attending college. He persuaded them to seek higher education because there were more opportunities, i.e., the sky was the limit.
John married Anna Lee Taylor on December 17, 1970. They had one daughter, Andrea Lynn. She was the essence of their lives, and her memories are forever cherished.
Family was very important to John. In the early 1970’s, he was instrumental in initiating the James Family Reunion. After discussing his plans with family members, the activity became a biennual event that is still very well-attended by families from across the country. John also enjoyed the outdoors and nature’s bounty--fishing, hunting, farming, and gardening for the neighborhood. He had many farm implements and pieces of equipment that he enjoyed. They were really his TOYS!
John loved life and lived it his way!! John was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Andrea Lynn James who he affectionately called “my Stootie,”; three brothers, Jimmie Willis James, Theoples James and Joseph Lee James.
John leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted and loving wife, Anna Taylor James, loving mother-in-law, Rosie L. Taylor (Granny); daughter, Tammy Lewis; grandson, Jared Johnson; three sisters, Cattie Epps (Arthur), Clara Jackson and Gussie Allen; two brothers, Otis James and Thomas James (Verna); sisters-in-law, Addie James and Pansy James, nieces, nephews, family and friends.