Edward Lawrence James was born in Forsyth County, North Carolina on August 14, 1930 to the late Ernest and Beulah Alice Vanhoy James. After a wonderful earthly journey of 95 years, Ed realized the promises of his lifelong faith and entered eternity from Sanctuary Hospice House on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. He grew up in Kernsville, NC and graduated from Kernsville High School in l949. Ed married Mary Lou Badgett James in March l952, a marriage of 56 years until her death in 2008. He found opportunities with Sears and Roebuck in l950 and Ed worked for the pioneer retail store for over 40 years, His career started in Winston Salem, NC and continued to Kingston, NC., Little Rock Ar. in l956 where he was Customer service manager, Jacksonville, Fl in 1959 as Customer service manager, Daytona Beach, Fl from1964-1968, back to Little Rock, AR where he served from 1968-1973 as Operating Manager, Baton Rouge, LA. in l973 and his final retirement location, Tupelo, Ms. in l974 until he fully retired in l990 as Store Manager. He and Mary Lou loved Tupelo and made it their permanent home. Ed was extremely family oriented, his faith was strong and his civic responsibilities were just who he was! He served as a member of the Rotary Club for 20 years, serving on the Board of Directors. He was a longtime member of the Community Development Foundation in Tupelo, was a member of the progressive City of Tupelo Thoroughfare Committee and later in life, enjoyed his membership in the Civitan Club. He was an active, faithful and devoted member of Harrisburg Baptist Church for 50 years where he served as a Deacon, Chairman of the Finance Committee during the construction of the new Campus on Cliff Gookin Blvd and being enjoyed member of the Weeks-Tutor Sunday school class. Very active in missions work, he made numerous mission trips with his Church. Ed loved traveling extensively all across the United States and Canada, including Alaska. A devoted member of the Good Sam RV Club, he was MS. state director from 1999-2002, served as Ambassador from 2003-2013 and Southeast regional director from 2013-2017. The friendships he made through Good Sam membership and leadership brought him lasting friends for life! After the death of Mary Lou in 2008, he married Peggy Smith James in 2013. They enjoyed being together and Ed loved the family that became a part of him through his marriage to Peggy.
A service celebrating Ed’s life will be held at 11 AM Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Harrisburg Baptist Church with his pastor, Rob Armstrong and his former pastor, Dr. Forrest Sheffield officiating. Burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at 9 AM Monday at the Church. Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to be serving their friends.
Ed is survived by his wife of 12 years, Peggy Smith James; his daughter, Debbie Hutchins (Terry) of Grenada, and his son, Edward (Eddie) Lawrence James, Jr. (Shannon) of Madison, Ms; his grandchildren, Sara Claire Horton (Jared) Drew Hutchins (Josey), Rebecca Kapustka (Guy), Rachel Lott, Jessica Lester, Jennifer Lott, Reed James (Sam), Zack James (Crawford), Lauren James, his ten great grandchildren and two sisters in law, Carol Badgett and Aileen James; Peggy’s family; daughter Janet Alexander and grands, Kimberly White (Stan) and Anna Claire, Sydney Batty (Justin) Avery and Annie, Madison Marchant (Derrick) and Nolan and Nash, George Duke (Lauren) and Reagan and Claire and James Duke (Katelyn) and Lainey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Beulah Alice James; his first wife and the mother of his children, Mary Lou James; a daughter, Alice Marie Lott and 3 siblings, Richard Paul, Roger Lee and Imogene Nona.
