John James
John Romulus James, “JJ”, 84, of Chattanooga, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
He was born on October 7, 1938, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Leroy James, Sr. and Amy Ruth White. John was educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools. He graduated from Howard High School in 1957. He worked as a Telecommunications Operator for the United States Air Force (USAF) and Dupont for over 30 years. After serving our great nation for 28 years, he retired at the rank of Master Sergeant (MSgt Ret.) in 1984. John met and married the love of his life Betty Jean in 1958 and together they had three beautiful children, Deborah Jean James, Rodney Jerome James, and Sylvia Dorian James. He was a faithful member of Greater Emanuel Apostolic Church where he attended with his wife and grandchildren, and Cornerstone Apostolic Church where he attended with his daughter and grandchildren. He enjoyed it and was happy and felt blessed to see them when he was not able to attend church. Minister Cooper and his family blessed our family with their presence and prayers. John enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren, family cookouts, cooking with his son, gardening with his grandchildren, and helping the community.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Betty Jean Elizabeth James; father, Leroy James, Sr.; mother, Amy Ruth White; sister, Mary Elizabeth James; brother, Leroy James, Jr.; son, Rodney Jerome James; aunt, Peggie Lewis White; uncle, Jesse White; niece, Mavis James; and nephew, Brother James.
Johnny leaves to cherish his memory his beautiful daughters, Deborah Jean James and Sylvia Dorian James; grandchildren: Diana, Johnathan, Samuel “Sam”, Reginald “Reggie” Lat, Rodney “Tremel”, and Jeremiah; great- grandchildren, Nakia “Nikki”, Alexandria “Alex”, Johnathan, Latoriana “Tori”, Ja’Quan “JJ”, Kariana (Kari), Jayla, Yasmine, Yamani “JaMoni”, Yamair “Jaymiah”, Justin, and Austin; great- great-grandchild, Journie; siblings, Rickey Garrett and Mary Johnson; nephew, Larry; cousins, Andrea Lynn Lewis and Calvin White Jr. (Sarah); sister-in-law, Mary (McMillan) James; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends.
John will lie in state on Thursday, April 6, from 12:30-5 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be on Friday, April 7, at noon at Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church.
Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.