of Chesapeake, VA

February 12, 1930 - June 10, 2021

Rev. Edward Lee James, resident of Chesapeake, Virginia, formerly of Forrest City, Arkansas, and earlier, West Memphis, Arkansas, peacefully passed away on June 10, 2021, in his home at the age of 91. He was born and raised in Haynes and Forrest City, Arkansas. Rev. James was an ordained minister in the Church of God, Cleveland, Tenn.

Edward Lee James was the youngest living child of 12 children and the 16th of 17 children born. He was quite sick until the age of 12 when he went to a tent revival. He heard the minister say, ''If you want to be healed, come up front.'' Edward, or Jamie James as he was known to his family, thought, ''Why wouldn't I want that?'' After that night of healing and affirming his salvation, it was full steam ahead. He lived life fully for his Lord and Savior. It seemed to most people that he only had one purpose in his ministry and life to make people have joy in the Lord. He spent his entire life bringing people into the Life of Christ and making them laugh.

Edward, or Jaime, joined the National Guard, which led to joining the United States Air Force. He was stationed in far away and cold Alaska, dark and lonely for a southern boy. Private Edward James needed to go to church, of course, so he walked into the Fairbanks Assembly of God and saw the most beautiful woman on earth, Karen Lee Vehmeier. The rest is history and the reason so many loved ones will attend his funeral or deeply wish they could have. They have been married for 66 years.

As Ed continued in the Air Force, he decided he needed to learn a trade and chose to be a barber. He was the most fun that could be had in a barber chair. He was the best and fastest too. He could make a razor strap sing and gave great shoulder massages at the end of a cut and shave, before that was even a thing. Between all the hard work and long hours, he went to church. He lit up the room with his free and easy smile. He sang. He shouted. He loved his Lord. He did all things with his family and in that small sliver of free time we fished with him and followed him rabbit hunting as the beagles bayed. He was a dependable father who did his very best with what he had in life, as fathers should do. We didn't know it then, but we were rich indeed.

After living and barbering for 7 years in West Memphis and having received his exhorter's license to preach in the church, Rev. Edward James felt led to become a pastor. He traveled many miles back and forth to preach, teach, sing, and bring souls to the Lord at Bassett Church of God in Arkansas. After 20 years, he moved to Forrest City and did the same at Earle Church of God. During those years he became an ordained minister and after retirement did many supply ministries, especially with Marianna Assembly of God. He was a member, along with Karen, of the Forrest City Church of God and then the Oak Hill Church of God. He was most recently attending Northwest Baptist Church and Mom said they were Pentecostal, but just didn't know it.

Edward L. James is survived by his wife, Karen Lee Vehmeier James. In every endeavor his wife, Karen, was by his side, assisting in the ministry to others for these 66 years. As a couple they entered all their members' lives not only in church, but outside of church with camping, games, singings, dinners on the ground, theme parks, fishing, frog gigging, hunting and much more. Karen provided everything possible for Edward as the last years became difficult. The night before he passed she hand fed him the most lovely homecooked meal and helped tuck him comfortably and safely in bed.

Jamie James or Edward has one surviving sister, Mary Milfred James Gann, from his James Clan of 12 living children, out of 17, by Joseph Ruffin James and Ella Elizabeth Malone James. He has four daughters, Frances Gayle James McCoy (Gayle, married to Henry Glenn McCoy Sr.), Diane Elaine James Herron (married to Dr. Robert Wilburn Herron, Jr.), Linda Carol James Horton (Linda to some, Carol to others), and Arlene Faye James Gillis (she claims to be the favorite daughter, but we know better, married to John Anthony Gillis). Edward James leaves ten grandchildren. Gayle and Glenn's children are Laurie Danielle McCoy Winterton (married to Phillip Carl Winterton) and Henry Glenn McCoy II (Glenn) and little Helen Ann met him in Heaven. Diane and Robert's children are Robert Wilburn Herron III (Trey, married to Nickie Lee Adams Herron) and Tiffany Danielle Herron Sell (married to Adam Ward Sell). Linda Carol's children are Daniel Edward Horton-Diaz (married to Nicole Peguero Horton-Diaz), Nathaniel Dewayne Horton (Nathan), and Angela Karen Horton. Arlene's children are Bethanie Amber Cornette, Savannah Rose Cornette Brackins (married to Garrett Kyle Brackins), and Alexandria Christina Cornette. Twenty great grandchildren survive Granddad. Many of the great grandchildren played with and went fishing with ''Granddaddy'' as they responded to his laughter. Laurie and Phillips's children are Emily Gayle, Isaac Glenn, Chloe Danielle, Tanner Joseph, Tyler Don, Claire Marie and Dean McCoy. Glenn's son is Harrison Henry. Trey and Nickie's children are Annabelle Diane (Bella) and Robert Wilburn, IV (Robbie). Adam and Tiffany have a recent gift from God, Ian Ward. Daniel and Nicole have just had our beautiful Naomi Grace. Alexandria added to the new, precious greats with Symphony Adeline. Bethanie's children and greats are Kyle Anthony, Kayla Rene, Zachary Ryan and little Ryan Thomas who ran into Granddaddy's arms at the gates of heaven. Savannah and Garrett's lovely children are Adam Scott, Logan James, and Zoey Faye.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com