Roy Lee James

On Sunday June, 15, 2014 a loving husband, father, friend and man of God took his rest and went home to be with his Heavenly Father. Brother Roy Lee James was born April 3, 1946 in Marion, Arkansas to Frank and Lucile (Woods) James, who preceded him in transition. Roy spent his early years surrounded by his family- his great-grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and parents, of whom he spoke fondly of and shared many funny stories of growing up in Marion. He was a very smart child and skipped the 1st grade! To further his education at the age of 11, his mother entrusted him to his twin uncles Willie and William in Little Rock. He attended Capitol Hill Elementary in the 6th grade and attended Dunbar Junior High and Horace Mann High School. Growing up in the civil rights era in Little Rock, gave him a unique perspective, stories to share and life-long bonds. He cherished his memories of Horace Mann and graduated in 1963. He started college in the Fall of 1963 at Philander Smith College where he made lasting friendships, pledged the Beta Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in 1965 of which he is a life member, worked at the Sam Peck Hotel, completed his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and most importantly met the love of his life, Charlotte Ann Mays. On July 18, 1966 these two were joined in holy matrimony. To this union 4 daughters were born. Roy worked hard providing for his family. Most notably, he was a field agent for Winthrop Rockefeller Sr., a district manager and instructor for SW Bell, and worked Horace Mann Insurance. He proudly started Roy James and Associates Insurance agency from which he retired as an insurance broker in 1998. Roy spent his early church years at True Vine Baptist Church where he accepted Christ. His mother said she knew he would be a preacher. Roy joined Collins Temple MBC (now Canaan) upon moving to Little Rock. He later joined Bethel AME Church in 1969. He was loved Bethel and served in many capacities over the years. He was a steward, trustee, a member of the Men of Bethel and Sunday school teacher. He loved to sing and was in the RK Young Singers, Male Chorus, the ABC Community Choir and helping in the kitchen. Most importantly he accepted his call to preach in 1999 and served on the ministerial staff and was going through the process to be ordained a Local Deacon in the AME Church. Roy's ministry included encouraging, teaching, visiting the sick, serving others, and proclaiming the Word! He loved outreach and was proudly serving on the Bags of Hope Homeless Ministry. Roy loved to cook, travel, read and talk about the Bible, listen to music, take care of his yard and drinking coffee. He helped people wherever he went, giving them money, food, and donating cars. He is survived by his wife of 47 years Charlotte and his four Daughters Annette Benita James-Stewart (Chris), Evelyn Elizabeth James, Natalie LeAnn James and Alexandria Grace James and six grandchildren, Amethyst Nicole Stewart, Emani Elizabeth Archie, Lavender Elise Stewart, Nathan Anthony James-Archie, Nalia Michelle Brown and November Lena James, his brother Melvin James (Carolyn), his sisters Barbara Harris ( Mike) and Phyllis Madison (Clint) and His Uncle William H. Woods and a special cousin, Clifford Hawkins as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests that you make donations to the Bags of Hope Ministry at Bethel or the American Kidney Fund, 1 Lile Ct., #201. The Family Hour will be held Friday, June 20, 2014 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Bethel AME Church, 815 W. 16th St., Little Rock. The LR Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi will perform the Omega Omega service at 5:30 pm. The Homegoing Celebration will be Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Bethel AME Church and interment will be at Oakland/Fraternal Cemetery, 2101 Barber St, Little Rock, Ark. 72206. Services have been entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72202. Sign online guestbook at www.robinsonmortuary.com. "Service You Can Trust."