Mrs. Merry Alice James

JAMES, Mrs. Merry Alice - Age 73, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Willowbrook Manor. Family hour 10:00 AM Friday, August 26, 2016 at Refuge Temple Church of Flint, 4400 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Seon Thompson officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Friday. Mrs. James will lie in state int he Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday, with the family present from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM to receive friends. Mrs. Merry A. James was born October 31, 1942 in Alamo, Tennessee. She was the oldest child born to Mrs. Hattie Walker-Johnson and Shannon A. Love. She received her education at Central High School in Alamo, TN after graduating from high school she moved to Grand Rapids, MI to attend Grand Rapids Community College where she received her Associate Degree in Nursing. Mrs. James retired from General Motors where she touched the lives of many whom she came in contact with. She was a devoted member of Refuge Temple Church of Flint, there she served faithfully on the Missionary Board, Kitchen Committee and on the Mother’s Board. Mrs. James loved gospel music and could often be found singing and dancing in her living room. Mrs. James never met a stranger and was a trusted confidant and friend to many. She was a conduit for everyone’s problems and made time for all. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers and special friends. She had the most giving heart and infectious personality, illuminating love and a light everywhere she went. Mrs. Merry A. James precious memories are shared by her loving family: daughter, Crystal (Lee) Johnson; 3 sons, Emmitt James, Jr., Robert (Corrie) James and Kevin (Tonya) James, all of Flint; 19 grandchildren, Shakila Shamsid-Deen, Jehan Shamsid-Deen Jr., Aeisha Shamsid-Deen, ShaNareyha Johnson, Latosha Johnson, Lee Johnson Jr., Robert James Jr, Keyanna James, Kiara James, Tywon James, Trevon James, Tremond James, Keyshanna James, Tracine James, Ava Hudson, Daisha James, Kevin James Jr., Malik Wilbanks, all of Flint and Tanisa Humphrey of Atlanta, GA; 9 great-grandchildren; 10 sisters, Faye (Arthur) Smith, Betty Swinton, Martha Moore, all of Flint, Donna (Tony) Johnson, Rozelle Johnson, both of Maury City, TN, Alma Brown of Trenton, TN, Tina Sander and Doris (Andrew) Tarram, both of Alamo, TN, Hazel Humphrey, Gates, Tennessee and Ava Denise Love of Grand Blanc, MI; 10 brothers, Jimmie Ray Johnson, Bill (Betty) Johnson, Floyd Johnson, all of Flint, Shannon A. Love Jr., Ronald A. (Sharon) Love, Floyd (Denise) Love, all of Grand Rapids, MI, David (Janice) Johnson, Will (Brenda) Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Michael Johnson, all of Alamo, TN; a host of other relatives, special friends and loved ones. Mrs. James was preceded in death by her husband, Emmitt James, Sr.; mother, Mrs. Hattie (Hal) Johnson, Sr. and father, Shannon A. Love Sr.; three brothers, Hal Johnson Jr., Johnny Mack Johnson, Sr. and Steven Love; sister, Dorothy Walker; and sister-in-law, Martha V. Johnson. The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Seon Thompson, First Lady Angie Thompson and the entire Refuge Temple Church of Flint family, Eliezer Church of the Apostolic Faith family, Dr. Knight, Hurley Medical Center 9th Floor Nursing staff, Willowbrook Manor staff., and UAW Local #599.

Mrs. Merry Alice James

October 31, 1942 - August 17, 2016