Obituary for Vera James (Speaks)
Mrs. Vera S. James, 87, of 392 Mt. Bethel Road, Harmony, was born in Iredell County on January 3, 1933, and was the daughter of the late Earl and Tamar Willams Speaks. She passed away at her home on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, following an extended illness.
Vera was a faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church in Union Grove where she served for many years in various positions and she especially loved singing in the Senior Choir. She was a faithful wife and a great mother and loved all her family and friends dearly. She was loving, kind and had such a gentle spirit. She loved to cook, host family gatherings, and loved to garden. She planted a garden each year, up until her illness.
She was married to Harold T. James for over 64 years, until his death in 2015. Her three son, Timothy James, Michael James and David James, preceded her in death, a grandson, Michael James, Jr., and her Pastor and Godson, Reverend Karl Payne, who also just recently passed.
She leaves to cherish the memory of her life, eight grandchildren; Tricia Lynn (Anthony) Chambers who was raised in the home as her daughter, of Harmony, TerVera James of Odenton Maryland, Matthew (Lori) James of Taylorsville, Takia (Derrick) Coates of Annapolis, Maryland, David James of New York, Raven James of New York, Trenisha C. James of Hyattsville, Maryland, Tamar L. James (Jamal) Minor of Hyattsville, Maryland; brother, Henry (Carolyn) Speaks of Harmony, Estella Speaks of Maryland, Geneva Dalton and Jackie Speaks, both of Harmony, and Judy (Luther) Morris of Lanham, Maryland; one sister in law, Vernice James, of Alexandria, Virginia; Reverend Jacqui Speaks; and sixteen great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, church family, neighbors and dear friends.
A Wonderful Grandmother
We had a wonderful grandmother, one who never really grew old
Her smile was made of sunshine, and her heart was solid gold
Her eyes were bright as shining stars, and in her cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful grandmother, and that’s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because she’s still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let’s make sure, she will like what she sees.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home with Reverend Carl Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Union Grove. Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. James at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the James Family.
There will be NO PUBLIC VISITATION, unfortunately, with the COVID-19 Virus we, at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, along with other funeral homes across the country, have been issued a mandate to limit the number of family and/or friends at funeral services. YOU CAN ONLY ENTER THE FUNERAL WITH A FUNERAL PASS WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO THE FAMILY.
Rutledge and Bigham is serving the James family.
Vera was a faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church in Union Grove where she served for many years in various positions and she especially loved singing in the Senior Choir. She was a faithful wife and a great mother and loved all her family and friends dearly. She was loving, kind and had such a gentle spirit. She loved to cook, host family gatherings, and loved to garden. She planted a garden each year, up until her illness.
She was married to Harold T. James for over 64 years, until his death in 2015. Her three son, Timothy James, Michael James and David James, preceded her in death, a grandson, Michael James, Jr., and her Pastor and Godson, Reverend Karl Payne, who also just recently passed.
She leaves to cherish the memory of her life, eight grandchildren; Tricia Lynn (Anthony) Chambers who was raised in the home as her daughter, of Harmony, TerVera James of Odenton Maryland, Matthew (Lori) James of Taylorsville, Takia (Derrick) Coates of Annapolis, Maryland, David James of New York, Raven James of New York, Trenisha C. James of Hyattsville, Maryland, Tamar L. James (Jamal) Minor of Hyattsville, Maryland; brother, Henry (Carolyn) Speaks of Harmony, Estella Speaks of Maryland, Geneva Dalton and Jackie Speaks, both of Harmony, and Judy (Luther) Morris of Lanham, Maryland; one sister in law, Vernice James, of Alexandria, Virginia; Reverend Jacqui Speaks; and sixteen great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, church family, neighbors and dear friends.
A Wonderful Grandmother
We had a wonderful grandmother, one who never really grew old
Her smile was made of sunshine, and her heart was solid gold
Her eyes were bright as shining stars, and in her cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful grandmother, and that’s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because she’s still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let’s make sure, she will like what she sees.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home with Reverend Carl Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Union Grove. Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. James at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the James Family.
There will be NO PUBLIC VISITATION, unfortunately, with the COVID-19 Virus we, at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, along with other funeral homes across the country, have been issued a mandate to limit the number of family and/or friends at funeral services. YOU CAN ONLY ENTER THE FUNERAL WITH A FUNERAL PASS WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO THE FAMILY.
Rutledge and Bigham is serving the James family.