Lera Athelene James joined her Savior, Jesus Christ, in glory on Jan. 3, 2018. Born on Aug. 17, 1940, to the late Athel and Lorene Long (Harris), she was the oldest of four children. She graduated from Deshler High School, and then earned her license in cosmetology. She met and married the love of her life, Grady C. James Jr. They were blessed with 54 years of marriage, three children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Her loving husband, her parents, and her brother, Ronald Long, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Gwen Alewine and husband, Tim, of Muscle Shoals, Barry James, of Sheffield, and Gerald James and wife, Marsha, of Paragould, Arkansas; her grandchildren, Brian Alewine (Kim), Chris James, Amy Terry (Josh), David James (Kelsey), Joshua James, Hannah James, and Rebekah James; four great-grandchildren, Aston James, Jake Terry, Lydia James, and Sadie Terry; one brother, Gary Long (Shirley), of Sulfur, Louisiana; one sister, Vickie McKinney (Roland), of Florence, Alabama; one sister-in-law, Linda Long; two brothers-in-law, Delano James (Talma), of Oakland, Tennessee, and Joe James (Debbie), of Franklin, Tennessee; and several nephews and nieces. She served as a teacher/student aide at Colbert Heights schools and as bookkeeper at Morris Publishing of Sheffield which she and her late husband owned for many years. Foremost she was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, a relationship that shaped every aspect of her life. She was a faithful, loving wife, a wonderful mother, a devoted member of First Baptist Colbert Heights where she was blessed with many opportunities for service over the years and numerous friends whose fellowship brought more joy to life than words can express. Throughout her brief battle with A.L.S. her expressed desire was to glorify God by finishing well in her walk of faith. By His grace she did exactly that and testified to many of His goodness to her in her latter days. Her love for family and friends and her love for Christ were evident even after she lost her ability to speak.
The family would like to thank her church family, especially her pastor Dr. Seth Hood, for their wonderful care; her wonderful neighbors, Allen, Jeri Ann, Brennen and Reagan McBride; her precious sitters, Sarah Tubbs, Punkin Tubbs, Melanie Thompson, Judy Miller, Martha Rae, Pauline Tidwell, and Jeanie Myers; also the compassionate staff of Keller Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Colbert Heights Building Fund, Gideons International, the A.L.S. Foundation, or the American Parkinson’s Foundation.
Visitation will be Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Seth Hood and Brother Gerald James officiating. Pallbearers will be Brian Alewine, Chris, David, and Joshua James, Steve and Scot McKinney, and Shane Long.
