Esther James

JAMES, Mother. Esther - Age 80, passed away Sunday, March 7, 2010 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Word of Life Christian Church, G-2200 Walton St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m., Pastor George Wilkinson officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Saturday. Mother James will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8 p.m. Friday. Mother Esther Mae James was born July 1, 1929 in Prescott, Arkansas. She was the second child born to Mr. John Allen Willis and Mrs. Pearl (Richardson) Willis. Esther accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Elizabeth Methodist Church. She later joined Galilean Baptist Church until she united with Word of Life Christian Church, where she was a faithful and dedicated member. Esther graduated from Blevins Training School in Blevins, Arkansas in 1948. She was married to the late Clifton James, Jr., on September 2, 1948 and to this union nine children were born. Mother James relocated to Flint, Michigan in 1956, where she dedicated her life to raising and caring for her nine children. During this time she also worked at Sawyer Nursing Home as a Nurse’s Aide. Esther was fondly known to many as “Mom, Aunt Esther, Granny, Big Granny or Mother James”. “Granny” was dedicated throughout her life to caring for many children of the family until they were ready to attend school. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending cookouts and most importantly socializing with her sisters, brother and cousins. Mother Esther Mae James leaves to cherish her memories: 8 children, May Carthans, Pearlena, Terry (Sherri), Robert, Michael (Gidgett), Kelvin, Kimberly and Christopher (Sonya) James; 27 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters, Johnnie P. Willis, Imogene (J.C.) McDaniel, Mildred Niles and Wonda Osborne; brother, William A. (Aristeen) Willis; 32 nieces and nephews; 4 aunts; a host of other relatives and friends. Mother James was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary James; parents, John and Pearl Willis; sister, Callie Strong; brother, Chauncy Willis; nephews, John and Terry Willis; great-nephews, Corey Sanders, Lamonte Willis-Chaney and Dameion Willis. The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor George D. Wilkinson and the Word of Life Christian Church family, Hurley Neuro Trauma ICU especially nurses, Carl, Lisa and Penny.

Esther James

July 1, 1929 - March 7, 2010