Place of Service: Truelight M.B. Church Walnut Grove, Ms.)

Date of Service: April 29th 2023 At: 11:00 A.M.

Visitation: April 28th 2023 From: 9A.M - 5P.M.

Internment: Truelight Cemetery (Walnut Grove, Ms.)

James Alton Crosby was the fourth of seven children and the eldest son born to the union of Alton and Emzie Crosby. Led by his parents, he joined Truelight M.B. Church at an early age. During his youth, James excelled as an athlete in the sport of Basketball. He graduated from Murphy High School and went on to attend Mississippi Industrial College on a basketball scholarship. His college basketball career ended early after his first year when he was drafted and inducted into the Untied States Army in August of 1965. Prior to induction James moved to Chicago where he joined his sisters Helen and Hattie. While residing in Chicago he met and married former wife Lillie (Nee) Jackson and to this union their only child, Michelle, was born. Everyone knew that James wanted a son and did his best to raise Michelle as a tomboy. He gave her this nickname "Big Jim," which reflected his name. James served his country valiantly and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in March 1968 receiving the following commendations:

*National Defense Service Medal *Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device *Vietnam Service with 1 Bronze Service Star *Combat Infantryman Badge (1st Award) *Purple Heart *Expert (Riffle M-14) *2nd Class Gunner (M-60 Machine Gun)

After working many years at General Electric, James took an early retirement when the company relocated to Atlanta, GA. He later moved back to Walnut Grove and enjoyed life on his own terms. James loved spending time with his fishing buddies. He also enjoyed his family, especially his only grandson David Jr. (DJ). They were considered double trouble when they were together. When DJ would spend summers with Grandpa James, He taught him to drive, fish and hunt. He was an avid listener of spirituals unless DJ was in the truck and then he became "Hey Bae Bae". He enjoyed speaking to his great grand-children, Harmony and Tre via facetime and receiving photos of them. A passionate outdoorsman: he loved fishing, hunting, and his trucks. He was also a breeder of Show horses, riding and competing in prancing competitions.

James was preceded in death by his parents Alton and Emzie Crosby, a sister Helen Poindexter, four brothers-in-law: Glen Manning, O.D. Poindexter, Loucious Weathersby, and James Gales, sister-in-law Robbye Williams Crosby and a nephew Jimmy Gales. He leaves to cherish a daughter Michelle (David Sr.), a grandson David Jr. (Julisa), two great-grandchildren, Harmony Monet, and David III aka Tre, three sisters, Hattie, Johnnie, Brenda and two brothers, Phillip, and Gary (Nancy) as well as a host of nieces and nephews, relatives, friends an his favorite riding mare, Ghost. In addition, two special high school classmates, Berlee Mann and Samuel Hoye.