James William Humphrey (72) of Berkley, Alabama passed away quietly at his home on October 9, 2023, after a long illness. James was born on June 6, 1951, to Louis and Viola Humphrey who preceded him in death. James was affectionately known to friends and family as Jam or Rattlesnake nose.
What some people don’t know about James is that he lost his voice box in a battle with cancer; he was told that he would never be able to speak again. But he was determined to speak, and actually taught himself to speak again. Family would often tease him, saying that “even with a trachea he never would stop talking.”
James worked at Phoenix Rehabilitation Center as a supervisor until he retired. He was always fiddling with and taking things apart and putting them back together to see how they would run. He enjoyed cooking, dancing and especially playing cards with family and friends, but his greatest love was fishing with friends and family. He was often seen casting his reel and reeling it in. He didn’t eat fish but all you had to do was call and say you wanted some fish, and you had best believe he would have some for you.
He was preceded in death by five sisters, Bessie Humphrey, Carrie Brandon, Martha Sullivan, Rosie Lee Speaight, and Ruby Humphrey.
He leaves behind one daughter, Jacqueline (Meathead) Logan; two grandchildren, Ashton and Amari Washington all of Madison, Alabama; three brothers, Albert Humphrey, Sr., Bobby (Jackie) Humphrey both of Berkely, Alabama, and James Smith of Huntsville, Alabama; one aunt Jenny Mae Humphrey of Huntsville, Alabama; a special friend Lisa McCray of Huntsville, Alabama; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Graveside service will be 12:00 noon, Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Liberty Cemetery in Gurley, Alabama.
There will be no public viewing.
