Rebecca James

Rebecca Perry James was the only child born to Ms. Annie Lee Smith and Mr. Louis Perry in Selma, Alabama (Dallas County) on March 16, 1930. She grew up in the loving home that her mother Annie Lee provided after relocating to Birmingham, Alabama. She was a student at Birmingham Public Schools – attending Lewis, Lincoln Elementary School, and A.H. Parker High School. Rebecca began her spiritual journey at an early age as a member of St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church in Smithfield. She later became an active member of Kingdom Christian Center (KCC) under the leadership of Pastors Jerry and Charla McClain. Rebecca was the devoted mother of six children, homemaker, and wife of over 50 years to the late, Mr. Jessie James, Jr. Aside from her devotion to God, Rebecca’s greatest devotion was to her family, especially her loving grandson, Marieo, and his family of whom she lived with during the last seven years of her life, and her second born son, Arthur, who served as her caretaker. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star (PHA). Rebecca passed peacefully from her earthly journey into eternal life on Sunday, October 15, 2023, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Annie Lee; husband, Jessie James, Jr.; first born son, Robert; grandsons, Robert “Bucci,” Willie, and Eldrick; and great-grandson, Brandon. She leaves behind to cherish and preserve her memory: two sons, Arthur (Sandra) Perry, and Thomas (Marilyn) Kinion; three daughters, Willie Mae (Wilburn) Curtis, Sonya James, and Tangy James; seven grandsons, Marieo (Tonya), Lamarr (Belinda), Anthony, Toni (Tenesha), Martez, Keavon, and Patrick ; eight granddaughters, Lasondra, Chauncyne, Tina, Catherine, Kennisha, Sharon, La ’Shon, and Kathy; thirty-one great-grandchildren; twenty-eight great-greatgrandchildren; her partner in crime and special cousin, Marie “Francis”, and special cousin, Laverne “Lulu” (Dana). She also leaves behind a host of cousins, church family, and friends.

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