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.
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11 Condolence(s)
frances c kaiser
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Its been along time since I knew James. I had the Gift shop across from his barber shop in the Marion shopping center. Since neither of us had much business we talked alot. . He was a great talker and I don"t do a bad job talking myself. A great person to have known. RIP
Bette Clark
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Not only was Brother Jamie the barber for my three boys, but our families were great friends and there were many hours enjoying times we spent together. We lost touch after they left West Memphis but the memories of those times were never forgotten. My love and prayers go out to Karen and the girls as they deal with the sorrow of losing their loved one. But I know they rejoice in knowing that Brother Jamie is now with his heavenly father. This verse best describes Brother Jamie's life as a minister of the Gospel: (2 Timothy 4:7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Dewayne & Cathy Thompson
Friday, June 18, 2021
Diane,
Reading the obit was like taking a stroll through your dad's life, stopping to take a look along the way. Such an encouraging life!
I can certainly see him in you: "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." That describes your energy and zest for life and friends.
Bob & Diane, we love you.
Dewayne & Cathy Thompson
Neighbors, always
Tony And Carolette Busby
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Brother James cut my hair when I was a boy God richly bless the James family me and Carolette are praying for you
Karen England Riley
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Wow, just to be honest I could not begin to share the memories or just how much my pastor a hero to my family really means to me and to us all, I love you and you will be missed , but I can see you shouting across the gates, instead of the back of the pews now. (Lol) anyone that knew you, knows your love for people, you taught us to be respectable and obedient in the house of God. I will never forget staying at yalls home getting ready for church camp, the camping trips lake, and so much more but what will always stick out is you and I would watch I love Lucy together , while sister James aka grandmother was in Alaska, you stopped by McDonalds each morning and came and sat with me as I was 10 years old in the hospital with a broken leg, before you would go into work at the barber shop. You baptized me , and came down just to dedicate my oldest daughter and like unsaid I could go on and on, but I honor you for your love for our family and for giving us an extended family. I love you always and yes you are and will be missed here, but what a day its gonna be when we all are reunited in Heaven. You preached truth no sugar coating it, and you always said I will not sugar coat it for anyone dont care how big your bank account is, cause as sure as their is a heaven there is a burning hell.. I thank you for not sugar coating it. Love always Karen England Riley
Misty England Thomss
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
I can’t put into words what this man meant to me not only was he my pastor and had a huge part in my up bringing ,he was grandad to me! I was closer to him than my biological grandparents I loved him with all of my heart and he taught me lessons no school books could teach he will forever have a place in my heart and will be missed.
Rev. Daniel Campbell
Monday, June 14, 2021
A beautiful account of Rev. Edward Lee James' life, love and Christian legacy. It has been a honor, joy and privilege to service as his pastor and his loving Chesapeake family, Blessings to his Bride and the members of his family I have met, and look forward to meeting some more.
Occasionally we dressed almost alike, without planning it, on one occasion he, his wife and daughter Diane, Rev. Lawrence Sawyer and I sang I'll Fly Away. He led in prayer several times as well.
In his life he blessed and encouraged me, in his eternal life he adds one more reason that stirs my heart and makes me Heavenly homesick. Until we meet, one of the Giants in the Ministry for the Church of God has made it home safely. Rev. Daniel J. Campbell, Senior Pastor Northwest "Spirited" Baptist Church
Clyde Nash
Monday, June 14, 2021
Bro James cut my hair many times and never failed one time to invite me and family to church. That being said he was my pastor at Earle a great man of God
Wendy Roedel ( pough )
Monday, June 14, 2021
No words can describe how much a Godly man he was , praying for the family
Delbert Pipkin
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Family barber for years if you could not afford to pay he would trade for anything.
Rest in peace my brother.
The Pipkin Family
Chuck Wood
Friday, June 11, 2021
Always enjoyed Mr. James as a barber and a patient. He always kept me entertained with his stories and tales. What a joyful Christian man!