Lester James

 Lester Samuel James, affectionately known as Papa, Brother Papa, Uncle Papa, and Brother James began the journey of life on June 17, 1926, in Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies under the guidance of his parents, the late Doris Dawkins and Alijah James. Lester James and his four siblings were raised by their God fearing Grandmother following the death of their mother when he was six years old. He was taught to be honest, respectful, and caring to others. His motto was: “Take Life with a Smile.”

Lester James started his early education in Amity District school’s system located in Westmoreland Jamaica W.I. and later continued his education attending Trade Schools, where he obtained certificates in masonry and culinary in Ontario Canada. He was a great cook, and a vegetarian and this lifestyle is believed to have impacted his longevity of life.

Lester knew from an early age that hard work would lead to success, so he sought and obtained employment at the bauxite mining company, and Nestle Factory in St. Catherine, Jamaica. While he was in the prime of his life, he fell in love and married Eva Elsaida James and later migrated to the United States with his family. His first wife Eva passed on and after a while, he sought to fill the void of loneliness in his life, when he met and fell in love with Muriel Annetta Neal James, and he solemnized the relationship on January 5, 2001. 

 When Lester migrated to the United States, he joined the staff at Atlantic Steel Company in Atlanta Georgia and after seventeen years of outstanding and loyal service with the company, Lester James received a certificate of recognition on March 31, 1993, and experienced a long-fulfilled career until his retirement.

He lived a Christ-like life which was grounded in him by his grandmother and as a child Lester grew to love hearing the word of God presented to by his grandmother, he later adapted to the Pentecostal-Holiness beliefs where he held titles of deacon, Elder/Minister. As an open-minded believer in the Word of God, Lester accepted the Three Angels Message of Revelation 14: 6-12 and was converted to the Seventh Day Adventist beliefs.  No matter what was happening, he remained faithful to God and would be in church every sabbath as long as he was able to do so. If any member of his household was not planning to go to church, he would NOT stop lecturing to the individual until he or she gives in and go ☺.

Lester James was preceded in death by his late mother, Doris Dawkins; Grandmother, Siblings Louise Peterkin, Lurline Malcolm-Clarke, Beatrice Brown, and Marcus Malcolm; his sons, Winston Chambers, Ephraim Morrison, and Fitz Campbell.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his darling wife Muriel Annetta James, his precious daughter Adassa (Bernard) Wyatt; Step-daughter, Janet West; Grandchildren Deon Wyatt, Christopher Wyatt, Evantee Wyatt, Felecia Wyatt, Grandville Lounds, Michael Campbell, Patricia Goggin, Yvonne Williams, Samuel Campbell, Pastor Michelle Thomas, Sharon Blessman; Step Granddaughter, Shannon Randall; Many Great and Great-Great Grandchildren; Twenty-nine nieces including nephews, and a host of many other relatives and friends.

“Rest in peace Papa.”