Dr. Jesse W. James

Jesse Woodson James was born July 31, 1939 in Poughkeepsie, New York and was the third child born to John Curtis James, Sr. and Rosa Johnson James, who have both passed on. He was baptized in Ebenezer Baptist Church in May 1957 and was active in the church.

Jesse was educated in the local schools and after graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served honorably with the Strategic Air Command until his discharge in 1962, after which he worked in the defense industry (with Republic Aviation in Long Island, NY) and the computer industry (with IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY).

On May 18, 1968 he and JoAnn Robinson of Ossining, NY were joined in marriage, and the following year, the new couple relocated to Pennsylvania, where Jesse attended Lincoln University. Upon receiving his B.A. degree in Sociology in May of 1972, the family moved to Amherst, Massachusetts, where Jesse had been accepted into graduate school at the University of Massachusetts. While pursuing his higher education, Jesse and JoAnn were blessed with two children, Ayodele Ngozi (nee Andrea Thembi) and Heshima Tumai. Jesse graduated from UMass Amherst in 1979 with a masters and a doctorate degree.

He had a long teaching career in sociology at Westfield State University, retiring in 2001. Professionally, Jesse was a member of the American Sociological Association and the New England Sociological Association (past president). He continued teaching and consulting for a few years post-retirement. While in the Amherst area, Jesse was a member of the Goodwin Memorial AME Zion church, and later was a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Church.

Jesse was involved in various civic activities throughout his adult life. He served as a board member for the Center for Human Development, Amherst A Better Chance Program, and the Hampshire County Food Bank in Massachusetts. He was also active in the Prince Hall Masonic family as a Past Master of Sumner Lodge #5 in Springfield, MA, a member of T. Thomas Chapter, Holy Royal Arch, Masons, Springfield Consistory #89, and Suez Temple #114 A.E.A.O.N.O.M.S. Jesse was initiated as a member of Delta Chi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in 1984, and had served as chapter Basileus.

Upon relocating to Savannah with JoAnn in February 2009, Jesse became a member of Mu Phi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi, Inc. and truly enjoyed the fraternal fellowship. Jesse was an active member of St. Philip AME Church in Savannah, serving as a Steward and a member of the Sons of Allen.

Jesse took advantage of the opportunity to travel. He and JoAnn had chances to visit Italy, South Africa, Ghana, the Netherlands, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, and various Caribbean countries. His hobbies included fishing, flying (Jesse was a licensed pilot), amateur radio operation (as call sign KK4ASA), and occasionally acting in community theater in Amherst and Savannah, as well as singing in Italy with a gospel group formed by gospel music authority Horace Clarence Boyer.

Jesse is survived by JoAnn, his wife of 56 years, daughter Ayodele, and son Heshima (Yun-Chi), brother John C. James, Jr (Marjorie), sisters Rev. Brenda James Perry and Patricia James Henderson (Albert), sister-in-law Nicola C. James, two grandsons, Kofi and Kamau, as well as many relatives and friends. An older brother, Rufus, preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.: to further the establishment of a scholarship fund in Jesse’s name. Checks may be made payable to: Mu Phi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., PO Box 1363, Savannah, GA 31402 or Cashapp: $MuPhi1926 (Note: Jesse James Scholarship)

OR

Hospice Savannah Foundation, Inc.: Checks may be mailed to Hospice Savannah (PO Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416), you may donate by phone at 912-629-1055, or make a donation in Jesse’s name at www.HospiceSavannah.org/give.