James Stafford King, Jr.

Obituary For James Stafford King, Jr.

James Stafford King, Jr., was born April 18, 1939, in Martinsville, Virginia to the late Mattie Philpott King and James King, Sr. He was affectionately known as “June”. Growing up in Virginia, he attended Albert Harris Elementary and McMichael Middle School and Northern High School in Detroit, MI.

He received Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Shiloh Baptist Church by his father-in-law, the late Bishop Eady. James came from a large family and attended school with his cousins. They were a close-knit family and James loved family reunions, playing horseshoes and going to the shooting range.

His mom taught him to sew and create custom patterns. He learned his business sense and how to cook from his dad. Once James graduated from high school, he and his cousin Kimbal enlisted in the US Army. They went off to Germany for 5 years. They traveled all over the European continent. He loved living in Germany and had many stories of his adventures there. James was honorably discharged. He was briefly married to Yvonne, his high school sweetheart at a very young age.

James later met, fell in love with, and married the late Ardella Marva Eady. To this union, one daughter, Theresa Kimberly King, was born.

James moved back to his hometown to care for his elderly parents. He made sure his parents were well, he cooked, cleaned, and was their caregiver. He loved working in the yard. He loved being a dad as well, often visiting Detroit several times a year to be with his daughter and was there for the birth of his granddaughter, Starr. He loved Starr. In his eyes, she could do no wrong! James loved his family. He always said "I have the best family in the world- on both sides- The Kings and The Philpotts.

James became ill for the last two years of his life, until God called him home on May 18, 2026. He fought like a soldier until the end. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Theresa King of Detroit, MI; granddaughter, Starr Lancaster King; cousin/daughter, Lashandra Frazier; cousin/brother, Henry Foster, cousin/brother, Alfonzo (Jerry) Reynolds; and a host of cousins, other relatives and many friends.

A visitation service will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. with the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at the C.R.V. Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home, 301 Fayette St., Martinsville with Pastor Todd Foster, Eulogist. Interment will follow at the Philpott & Jamison Family Cemetery, Terry's Mountain Rd., Martinsville, VA.

The family will receive friends at Hairston Funeral Home on Monday, June 1, 2026, between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Live streaming of the funeral service will be available at Hairston Funeral Home live via Facebook.

Courteous, efficient and dependable services provided by Hairston Funeral Home.

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