Elder Magdalene Elizabeth James

Elder Magdalene Elizabeth James, would have been 85 June, she passed away suddenly but peacefully Friday evening on April 21, 2017. She is preceded in death by her brother James Williams; her Sister Aretas Gross; and her son William Allen James, Jr. (She could not find her brother Nathanial who last resided in California.) She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Saka El and her former husband Wali Naji; grand-children include: Ine-Ibiye Saka and her former husband Roderick Wolfe; Tariq Alkebu-Lan and his wife Juashauna Kelly; Jazmin James; Waliah Naji; and Daughter in-law Gina James. She is also survived by six great-grand children; J'Diyah Saka; Amaar Wolfe; Inga Wolfe; Azadeh Wolfe; Zaid Alkebu-Lan; and Bilal Alkebu-Lan. Other surviving relatives include niece, Sharese James plus other nieces and nephews. Also surviving her is an extended family of three grandsons; Kevonte Horne; Markeese Patillo; and Nascere Horne. She also leaves behind a host of loving extended family members and friends.

Elder James, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Frances Williams, her mother. Little is known about her father except that he was Ethiopian and his last name was Talifiaro. She was moved to Newark, New Jersey when she was an infant where she was raised and lived for more than half of her adult life. Although she was a foster child which she was sensitive and very private about, God placed her when she was older with loving parents. Her foster parents were upright industrious Christians, who taught her dedication to God, family, and community. They also instilled in her a love for education. They always told her and others they raised "you always have a home to come back to if you need".

After recovering from pnemonia at sixteen and missing a year of school she went to night school and received her high school diploma. She met her husband and the father of her children, William Allen James, Sr, while attending night school. The marriage ended in divorce early. She never remarried. She always wanted to go to college but she was not able to go until she was forty years of age. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Montclair State College. She taught at the Philips Business School for more than fifteen years in East Orange, NJ. She also served as the school's Chaplain.

Before going to college she worked as a bookkeeper for businesses and a real estate agent for Listner and Williams. Elder James was a single parent of two children and usually worked two jobs even when she went to college. She often recited the poem "Don't Quit" to all students, children and youth in her life; even throughout her time serving in Richmond Public Schools where she taught until she was seventy-eight years old.

In the early eighties she went to school again to become an ordained minister. Once Elder James moved to Richmond, Virginia she spent her time with many churches participating in prayer groups and participating in healing and helping programs, offering sermons. She worked with Reverend Crawley and First Lady Crawley when she first came to Richmond. Elder Magdalene loved feeding people and taking care of the sick, the following are only a few churches she was part of in Richmond: Late Reverend Gibson and First Lady Gibson from 2000-2006 under the pastorship of Bishop Lawrence Taylor of Fountain of Deliverance. Fountain Church was one of the latest churches she visited in her last three years of life. In the nineties She was a member of the Crusades for Christ Christian Church Ministries led by Bishop Harris where she participated in the clearing of land for youth summer camps. She also visited this church in her last three years of life. And Throughout the nineties to 2005 she was a member and often gave sermons at the Koinonia Christian Church, under the leadership of the Late Rev. Dr. Margorie L. Booker.

She belonged to the United Order of Tents in Richmond 2003-2010. And Elder James was a co-founder and board member of Real Opportunities, Inc. at the time of her transition to the realm of ancestor.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Real Opportunities, Inc. for the Education Support Initiative or to programs helping orphans and foster home youth such as Virginia One Church, One child. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2017 at 11:30 AM Mimms Funeral Home.