James grew up in Aberdeen and graduated from Berkley High School in 1953. She was a member of the band, a hall monitor and was on the basketball team. She also won several oratorical contests. She is the oldest of four children born to the late Bessie and James Faison.
After graduating from high school, she got married before continuing her education. She has six children, four girls and two boys.
Her daughter, Linda, works for the U.S. Postal Service in Greensboro and is also a Realtor and broker. Deborah is a nurse’s assistant and also works for Austin’s Foods in Cary. Janice is the principal of Charity Middle School in Kenansville and holds degrees in social work and counseling. Katrina is a guidance counselor at Sampson Middle School and holds a degree in social work.
One son, Larry, is a welding inspector at Schindler Elevator Co. in Clinton, and James is a detention officer in Durham County.
James began her career as a teacher assistant and bus driver with the Sampson County school system in 1970. Her family members and co-workers encouraged her to go back to school. After completing her studies at Sampson Community College and Meredith College, she continued to work with special-needs children for 27 years.
She retired in December 1997. She then enrolled at Sampson Community College to continue her education. She visits nursing homes and hospitals and has been active in her church, Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church, since 1954.
In her church and community, she is known as Mother James. Her church and family gave her an appreciation service and she was chosen as Mother of the Year in 1995. She has taught an adult Sunday school class for more than 30 years.
She holds the position of head mother of her church and the New Freewill Baptist Confer-ence and is the recording secretary for the conference.
She has served as the coordinator of her church’s Vacation Bible School, secretary of the adult choir and ruling elder. She was chairwoman of the church’s 100th anniversary and designed and published a souvenir book. She was secretary of the advisory board for the conference, treasurer of the Pastor’s Aid Committee and president of outreach ministry. She has also been active in her community, helping people in need.
After the death of her first husband, Graham Peele, in 1973, she had to take care of her family. She encouraged her children to get their educations. Being a seamstress, she made most of their clothes.
She later married Cleveland James, who died in 1997.
In addition to her six children, she has six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Crystal, graduated from N.C. A&T State University this year.
James said she is very honored to be asked to speak at the banquet for the Berkley High School reunion and looks forward to attending.
