Funeral Information
Location:
New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church
Date: 09-12-2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Time: 3:00 PM
Visitation Information
Location:
New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church
Date:
Time:
Time:
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Obituary
Deacon J.D. James, the beloved son of Valley and Easter Bell James, was born on May 28, 1952. He grew up under the guidance of his parents, his sisters, older brothers, and the watchful eyes of his village. He learned valuable skills and life lessons from them all. Their influence positively impacted his life.
J.D. was a “people person” whose personality was caring, compassionate, kind, and good-natured. Because he always had the desire to do what is right, he would let his conscience be his guide. He believed everyone should live in harmony. For this reason, he would go the extra mile to help resolve disagreements peacefully. He also did whatever he could to help others in need.
Earlier in his life, J.D. sought to have a relationship with the Lord and was committed to honor His divine will. He obediently began his mission for his church and within the community as he grew in faith.
J.D. put his faith into action through his involvement at New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. He willingly fulfilled his obligations as deacon, Sunday School scholar, choir member, and culinary committee member. He moved the congregation by rendering soul stirring songs of Zion. Among them were “God’s Grace” / “I’m a Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow”/ “I’ll Go If I Have to Go by Myself”/ A Change is Gonna Come,” and “I’m Sending Up My Timber.” He was also a master chef who expertly prepared his signature dishes – yellow rice and turkey, collard, mustard, and turnip greens, or whatever the committee members asked him to prepare for special events.
J.D. was a graduate from the Madison County School District and later sought employment there - first as a part-time custodian and then retiring as the District Food Warehouse Manager and delivery driver of cafeteria supplies to the five local schools. He made an impact with both the staff and students at each location.
At the end of his work busy days, J.D. found peace and solace in the fresh air and sunshine. His greatest joy came from the beauty and wonders of nature. He loved manicuring his yard for curb appeal and growing bountiful crops of fruits and vegetables in his seasonal gardens. He grew corn, greens, okra, tomatoes, and onions for the meals he prepared for dinner, but he always had enough to share with friends, neighbors, and other residents in the community. Because of his generosity, the more he shared, the garden produced more abundantly.
Another passion of J.D.’s was cooking. He planned his menus in advance, prepared specialty dishes upon request, as well as favorite holiday meals.
J.D. was resilient. His endearing love for his wife, life itself, and his faith in the Almighty all activated his hope for the future by his “Holding (firmly} to God’s Unchanging Hand.” His concert of praise that he sang for the Healthcare team and other patients was “I’m Sending Up My Timber Every Day.” However, during the personal bedside concert he sang to his wife. daughter, and granddaughters, he spoke directly to their hearts as he reminded them that in all situations, “Jesus Is Love.”
On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, J.D. answered the loving whisper from the Almighty that said for him to “Come on Up to Bright Glory” and become a member of His Heavenly Choir. He peacefully transitioned from this life to find sweet “Rest Beyond the River.”
Loved ones whose lives are impacted by Deacon J.D. James’ passing are his devoted wife of 31 blessed years: Gwendolyn Haynes James; daughter: Tamirah (Greg) Ray; sisters: Gertrude (James) Kaiser and Mildred Arnold; granddaughters: A’Niyah Ray and Ja’Mesia Ray; mother-in-love: Hattie Mae Haynes; sisters-in-love: Linda Haynes and Jacqueline (Rev. Oliver) Bradley; a host of loving aunts, uncles, aunts-in-love, uncles-in-love; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, countless other sorrowing relatives, and comforting friends.
Preceding Deacon J.D. James in death were his parents: Valley James and Easter Bell James; brothers: Elder Leroy James, Edgar James, William Floyd James; and sisters: Bessie Lee James, Eddie Mae Hall, and Inez Robinson.
J.D. was a “people person” whose personality was caring, compassionate, kind, and good-natured. Because he always had the desire to do what is right, he would let his conscience be his guide. He believed everyone should live in harmony. For this reason, he would go the extra mile to help resolve disagreements peacefully. He also did whatever he could to help others in need.
Earlier in his life, J.D. sought to have a relationship with the Lord and was committed to honor His divine will. He obediently began his mission for his church and within the community as he grew in faith.
J.D. put his faith into action through his involvement at New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. He willingly fulfilled his obligations as deacon, Sunday School scholar, choir member, and culinary committee member. He moved the congregation by rendering soul stirring songs of Zion. Among them were “God’s Grace” / “I’m a Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow”/ “I’ll Go If I Have to Go by Myself”/ A Change is Gonna Come,” and “I’m Sending Up My Timber.” He was also a master chef who expertly prepared his signature dishes – yellow rice and turkey, collard, mustard, and turnip greens, or whatever the committee members asked him to prepare for special events.
J.D. was a graduate from the Madison County School District and later sought employment there - first as a part-time custodian and then retiring as the District Food Warehouse Manager and delivery driver of cafeteria supplies to the five local schools. He made an impact with both the staff and students at each location.
At the end of his work busy days, J.D. found peace and solace in the fresh air and sunshine. His greatest joy came from the beauty and wonders of nature. He loved manicuring his yard for curb appeal and growing bountiful crops of fruits and vegetables in his seasonal gardens. He grew corn, greens, okra, tomatoes, and onions for the meals he prepared for dinner, but he always had enough to share with friends, neighbors, and other residents in the community. Because of his generosity, the more he shared, the garden produced more abundantly.
Another passion of J.D.’s was cooking. He planned his menus in advance, prepared specialty dishes upon request, as well as favorite holiday meals.
J.D. was resilient. His endearing love for his wife, life itself, and his faith in the Almighty all activated his hope for the future by his “Holding (firmly} to God’s Unchanging Hand.” His concert of praise that he sang for the Healthcare team and other patients was “I’m Sending Up My Timber Every Day.” However, during the personal bedside concert he sang to his wife. daughter, and granddaughters, he spoke directly to their hearts as he reminded them that in all situations, “Jesus Is Love.”
On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, J.D. answered the loving whisper from the Almighty that said for him to “Come on Up to Bright Glory” and become a member of His Heavenly Choir. He peacefully transitioned from this life to find sweet “Rest Beyond the River.”
Loved ones whose lives are impacted by Deacon J.D. James’ passing are his devoted wife of 31 blessed years: Gwendolyn Haynes James; daughter: Tamirah (Greg) Ray; sisters: Gertrude (James) Kaiser and Mildred Arnold; granddaughters: A’Niyah Ray and Ja’Mesia Ray; mother-in-love: Hattie Mae Haynes; sisters-in-love: Linda Haynes and Jacqueline (Rev. Oliver) Bradley; a host of loving aunts, uncles, aunts-in-love, uncles-in-love; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, countless other sorrowing relatives, and comforting friends.
Preceding Deacon J.D. James in death were his parents: Valley James and Easter Bell James; brothers: Elder Leroy James, Edgar James, William Floyd James; and sisters: Bessie Lee James, Eddie Mae Hall, and Inez Robinson.