SLS 201ES-41 ORIGINAL
2020 First Extraordinary Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4
BY SENATOR TARVER
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Pastor John H. James Sr.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of Pastor John H. James Sr.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Senate of the
5 Legislature of Louisiana has learned of the passing of Pastor John H. James Sr. on May 30,
6 2020, from the deadly COVID-19 virus; and
7 WHEREAS, the son of Dan James Jr. and Lumandy James, he was born
8 September 30, 1939, in Shreveport, Louisiana; and
9 WHEREAS, he confessed Christ at an early age at the Shady Grove Baptist Church
10 under the leadership of Pastor Shivers, served as a deacon, and was later called to the
11 ministry as a young teenager; and
12 WHEREAS, he was educated in Shreveport and attended Booker T. Washington
13 High School; and
14 WHEREAS, on December 25, 1957, Pastor James married the love of his life, Trola
15 Patterson James, and to this union, four beautiful children were born: Angela, Johnetta,
16 Rosie "Dimples", and John "Man" Jr.; and
17 WHEREAS, in 1961, Pastor James began working for Alright Parking as a parking
18 attendant, was later promoted to manager of the parking garage, and in 1989, retired and
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SLS 201ES-41 ORIGINAL
1 committed full-time to the ministry; and
2 WHEREAS, he was ordained as a minister by Pastor E. Edward Jones and was called
3 to pastor his first church, Promise Land Baptist Church in Kiblah, Arkansas; and
4 WHEREAS, on March 27, 1966, Pastor John H. James Sr. was called to shepard the
5 Magnolia Baptist Church in Vansville, Louisiana, at the age of twenty-seven; and
6 WHEREAS, Pastor James also pastored Temple Baptist in Bossier and Red Chute
7 Baptist in Haughton, Louisiana; and
8 WHEREAS, in 1979, he moved his Magnolia Baptist Church flock from Vansville
9 to Shreveport, where it currently resides, as God blessed him with the wisdom and
10 opportunity to lead Magnolia Baptist Church and its ministers, deacons, deaconesses, ushers,
11 choir, youth ministry, and congregation; and
12 WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Lumandy James; his
13 in-laws, Mary Ella and Elder H.P. Patterson; Allie Mae Holloway (grandmother), Denise
14 Holloway (grandfather); sisters; Alice Mae Jackson Holloway, Henrieta James, Naomi Giles,
15 Edna B. Daniel, Vinnie B. Bell, Rosie Lee Ware; brothers, JT Jackson, Oneal James, Prentiss
16 James, Dan James III, Jiles Ray James; son, Bishop John H. James Jr.; granddaughter,
17 Tonetta Denise James; and Gabby (his beloved Yorkie); and
18 WHEREAS, Pastor James leaves to cherish his memories his lovely First Lady, Trola
19 Mae James; daughters, Angela Jackson (Col. Don Jackson), Johnetta Coleman, Rosie James;
20 sisters, Louella White and Savannah Coleman; best and devoted friend and pastor, Pastor
21 Dennis Everett "Brother - Brother", and family; grandsons, Donald Jackson Jr. (Tangela)
22 Timothy Jackson (TSgt.) "US Airforce Stuttgart"; great-grandchildren, Cordero James
23 (Rosa), Jada S. James, Linda M. Taylor; great-great-grandchildren, McKinlee Hamilton,
24 Jayce Albert James, Legacy Hamilton, and Journey Rose James; family dog Cinderella; and
25 a host of clergy, relatives, and friends; and
26 WHEREAS, the death of Pastor John H. James Sr. has left a tremendous void in his
27 community and has created a genuine sense of sorrow in the many individuals who mourn
28 the loss of the kind nature and bright mind of this wonderful man whose memory shall
29 forever remain in their hearts and minds.
30 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
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SLS 201ES-41 ORIGINAL
1 does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of the Pastor John H.
2 James Sr. and does hereby extend posthumous honor and recognition to Pastor James for his
3 incomparable legacy which is marked by deep pride and honor.
4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
5 wife, Trola Mae James.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 4 Original 2020 First Extraordinary Session Tarver
Expresses condolences upon the death of the Pastor John H. James Sr.
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