Mr. Marion Jacob James

Marion James, affectionately known as “Buddy” to many, was born in Mobile, Alabama to the late Jacob and Cleo James, on October 6, 1938. Buddy grew up in Mobile, Al. with his brother Norman, where he would then became the proud father of Michelle Denise Roberts (Dalida). He attended and finished at Mobile’s Central High School and later went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. He passed away in Columbia, South Carolina on May 31, 2022. Marion was an avid fisherman, that stemmed from his childhood in Mobile, and would also enjoy going with his hosts of cousins and friends, especially Jake, Pressley, and Rip. Marion excelled at sports where he played football, basketball, and baseball throughout his high school and college days. He eventually went on to play for several Major League AAA and AA farm teams for both the Detroit Tigers as well as the Brooklyn Dodger organization in the 60’s. He loved spending time with his family and always told a good joke, always wore good smelling cologne. His large family up brining in Alabama also enabled his culinary skills, where he learned to cook excellent gumbo, delicious potato salad, and could fry the best fish, pork chops, and crispy chicken. After college, he relocated to Harlem, New York where he met and married his beautiful bride, Betty Jean Brown. During their 56 years of marriage, they had 4 amazing children, Kenneth, Cheryl , Eric, and Kashima. Marion spent his professional career as a Social Worker for the NYC Department of Social Services, later finishing his career as a Correctional Officer for the State of New York and the South Carolina Department of Corrections (Columbia). After retirement, he continued his career, finishing as Security Supervisor, with the SC Fire Academy, at the age of 83. He is proceeded in death by his father, Jacob James, mother, Cleo Fairgood James, his brother, Norman Barron James, and his wife, Betty Jean Brown James. He is survived by his children, Michelle Denise Roberts - Dalida, Kenneth Marion (Evelyn) James, Cheryl Lynn James, Eric Joseph James, and Kashima Katherine (Kevin) Brown; his friends, Pressley, Jake Bell, Betty Joyce, Thelma Griggs, Gene Morton, and Johnny Jacobs; his grandchildren, Erika Dawn (Jeffrey) Dalida -Woods, Erik Dominick (Sandra) Dalida, Elona Danielle Dalida, Keit’hia Nhahje’ James, Shania Abrey James, Shomari Air-Riq James, Seth Asante James, Mykhaela Aunzoni Seawright, Elijah Mykel Seawright, Sala Akanke James, Kristina Marie James, Skye Marie Todd, Semira Anaya James, Sireh James, Seven James; his great grandchildren, Leyla and Dominick Dalida and a host of other loving family and friends. Please leave the James family your condolences and prayers. Funeral service will be 12 noon, Saturday, July 9, 2022 at A. A. Dicks Funeral Home Sullivan Chapel, 2548 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The James family acknowledges with grateful appreciation, all of your kind expressions of love and sympathy. Like our Facebook page: A. A. Dicks Funeral Home - Sullivan Chapel Add our Facebook Friend Page and leave a comment: A. A. Dicks FH Thank you for helping us serve our families: A. A. Dicks, Sr. and staff

Mr. Marion Jacob James

October 6, 1938 - May 31, 2022