The Funeral Service for Mr. Elmo James, Sr. will be conducted on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at New Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Byromville, Georgia with Pastor Johnny Dean officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. A Wake Service will be held on Friday, December 28, 2018 at West’s Mortuary in Montezuma, Georgia beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Elmo James, Sr. was born July 20, 1919, to the late Mr. & Mrs. Willie and Cheffie James. He was the eighth child of fourteen siblings, (Herbert, Alberta, Eddie Mack, Oscar, Willie Jr, Verna, Lucile, Mattie, Leroy, Roosevelt, Tehart, Lynmore, and Morris James), all preceded him in death except Leroy and Lynmore James. He was married to Edith Mainor on December 25, 1941, who preceded him in death on February 15, 1986. Together they raised eight lovely children, four girls and four boys.
Mr. Elmo attended Little Poplar Springs Elementary School, Byromville, Georgia. His favorite pastime was skipping school to go fishing and hanging out with his best friend “Pumpy”. He became a Christian early in his childhood life. He joined The Little Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Byromville, Georgia, where he was a very active member. Later he moved his membership to New Poplar Springs Baptist Church, where he was an active member in building the church. He was ordained a deacon and served as the treasurer of the deacon board. He was president of the choir. His love for the old spiritual songs inspired him to participate in the choir during church services.
He was a successful farmer and entrepreneur. His love for people led him to establish a successful peddling business selling his own home grown vegetables in the Montezuma community every Saturday. His motto was “Feed the People” and he was often referred to as “The Vegetable Man”.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his eight children and their spouses: Marlene and Ray Glaze, Calvin and Anita James, Aaron James, Elmo Jr. and Jackie James, all of Stockbridge, GA, Shirley and Aytch Stanton Chaney of Lawrenceville, GA, Mildred and William Wright, Jr. of Plano, TX, Eloris James of Fairfax, VA, Howard and Cassandra James of Montezuma, GA; two brothers: Leroy and Shirley James and Lynmore and Faye James of Montezuma, GA. Included in his legacy are 24 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 1 great, great granddaughter, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.