Sister Eva Lucille Bennett James was born on November 25, 1923 into the family of the late Willie May and the late Hazel Ruth Bester in Ellisville, Miss. After the death of her father, she and her mother moved to Jackson. Her mother married the late Edward Bennett who adopted Eva.
Eva attended the public schools of Jackson. She graduated from Lanier High School in 1944. She earned Bachelor and Master degrees in Elementary Education from Jackson State University. She was a public school teacher in Hinds and Rankin County Schools.
On Nov. 22, 1944 Eva married the late Leonard James. This union was blessed with five children, Leonard Evans (Bettye), Catherine, Hazel Ruth (Darrell), Ida Denise and Lottie Louise.
Her religious life began early at White Chapel Baptist Church and Galilee Baptist Church. She joined College Hill Baptist Church in 1939. She served as an usher, Sunday school teacher, choir member, secretary of the Mission, secretary of the Pastor’s Aid Club and president of Circle No. 5. She also worked with the condolence and outreach ministries.
She was a member of the Heroines of Jericho – Queen Esther Court 172, the National Council of Negro Women and an educator for the Certificate of Progress Program of Christian Education.
She leaves grandchildren, Travis J James, Kevin B. James (Christie), Christina Y. James, Michael A. James, Alicia M. James, Tracie James Wade, and Ralph James (Sharmelitta).
Also, she had great-grandchildren Terrance Jamal Gardner, Cameron James, Doran James, Jonathon James, Brayden James, Clayton James, Kevin B. James, Jr., Alyssa C. James and Mikal Jamal Wade, Sharcoria Harris, Willard Castle.
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