Deacon Joe James

Joe James, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, son, and brother, passed away on June 26, 2021. Joe was born in Baconton, Georgia on,June 22, 1934 to the late Deacon Cuyler James, Sr. and Mrs. Ollie James.  He is one of six children; three brothers and one sister preceded him in death, Cuyler James, Jr., Roger Quimbly, Hezekiah James and Lula Johnson.  He married Cherrine James, the love of his life, after his deployment to Fort Jackson and then Korea. He is the proud father of five children, the grandfather of twelve and the great-grandfather of seven.

Joe confessed his life to Christ at an early age when he became a member of New Salem Baptist Church in Baconton, Georgia. Upon manhood, he followed in his father’s footsteps and served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher and wherever he was needed in his church.

Joe attended primary school in Baconton, Georgia and graduated from Madison High School in Albany, Georgia.  Soon after graduation, he was drafted by the Kansas City Monarchs Negro Baseball League.  He declined the offer to play professional baseball and enlisted into the United States Army instead.  After completing his enlistment, he returned home to Albany to raise his family and begin his career.

He graduated for Albany Technical College in Electrical Engineering. He later became an instructor at his Alma Mater, Albany Technical College and served on the Trustee Board for many years.  Joe was also an instructor of Electrical Engineering at the Lee County Correctional Institute and Monroe Area Vocational School. He enjoyed volunteering his time in civic, educational endeavors and church functions for youth and adults alike.

After 35 plus years at Westinghouse Electric Company, he retreated from his career; however, he continued to pursue his passion as an electrical journeyman. Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, watching sports of all kinds with baseball remaining his favorite and traveling to see family near and far. He was a loving and kind gentleman who will be sorely missed.

Joe is survived by his loving and very devoted wife of 62 years, Cherrine Wright James; his son, Edgar James of Houston, Texas, Timothy James (Belinda) of Houston, Texas; Lionel James (Kesha) of Birmingham, Alabama; daughters Barbaretta Fredricks of Camilla, Georgia; Devorah Simon (Brian) of Leesburg, Georgia; sister Laura Wilkins of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and sister-in law Evelyn James of Cocoa Beach, Florida; twelve   grandchildren Ja’Net Jones, Glenn Walker, Timothy James, Jr., Jaylen James, Thaddeus James, Nicolas James, Maddison Gibson, Lenny Browning, Kirsten Burnette, Lionel James II, Kasey James, Ayden Simon; seven great-grandchildren; four sets of dedicated sisters and brothers in-law, who assisted whenever called upon, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.