Alma Price James

Mrs. Alma Price James, daughter of the late Elizabeth Floyd and Lawrence Price, was born February 5, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. Alma and her siblings traveled to Tuscumbia, Alabama and resided with their paternal grandmother, Sara Price; her fathers' Uncle, John (Mary) Price and Aunt Samella Rogers. After the passing of Uncle John, Alma and her siblings were reared by their Aunt, Bessie (Willie) Maxwell. Alma confessed faith in Christ in 1940, was baptized and joined First Baptist Church, Tuscumbia under the leadership of Reverend J.W. Cartwright. She remained an active church member and proudly rendered missionary duties until confined by illness. She was a member in the Pastor Aid Society, Missionary Society, Missionary Call up Ministry, Seven Star Club, Hospitality Committee, Nursing Care Team, and the Over 80 Club. Mrs. James was a 1945 graduate of Trenholm High School. It was at this institution where she met Leonard James, Jr. They united in Holy Matrimony on October 16, 1948 and to this union one son and three daughters were born. In 1965, Alma sought competitive employment and was hired as a sales clerk at Rogers Department Store in Florence, AL. She was the first black employee at Rogers. In 1968, she began employment as Assistant Manager at The Little Village Shop in Muscle Shoals. In 1977, she received her License Practical Nurses diploma from Shoals Technical Institute in Muscle Shoals. She was employed full-time at Shoals Hospital at night and during the day she attended Northwest Junior College in Phil Campbell, Alabama. In 1980, she proudly acknowledged and declared a Registered Nurses Degree. After 16 years as Charge Nurse of the medical floor, she retired from Shoals Hospital. Having the love and heart for nursing, she continued to work part-time for several years. Alma was active in the community. She was a volunteer at Shoals Hospital, attended the Life Long Learning Academy at Northwest Community College, a member of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, Inc ~ Kappa Phi Chapter, and a chartered member of Alpha Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. ~ Zeta Epsilon Chapter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard James, Jr.; brother, William Henry Price; and her sister, Lola (deceased at 18 months); the relatives which reared her, and Precious James. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and mother-in-law who leaves to cherish her memories with love forever, a son: Leonard James, III and his wife Mattie of Houston, TX; three daughters: Vicki James of Memphis, TN; Caryl Gill and her husband, James of Topeka, Kansas; and BeLinda Ragland and her husband, Tracy of Florence, AL. Grandchildren: William, Andrea, Kevin and Jacqueline James; Kenneth and Brian Smith; James, Gregory, Mike (LaTesha) and J'Shawn Gill; and Stacy Ragland. Great grandchild: Kaden Ragland. A bonded and special friend of 62 years, Berdie Mae Thompson. Funeral service for Mrs. James will be:12:00 Noon ~ ThursdayFirst Missionary Baptist Church, Tuscumbia, ALRev. Otis B. Smith, officiatingBurial in Colbert Memorial Gardens, Tuscumbia, ALThe body will be placed in the church at 11:00am.Visitation will be Wednesday, 5-7:00pm. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Mother's love of nursing and her beloved Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, Inc. - Kappa Phi Chapter, contributions may be made to the Alma Price James Nursing Scholarship,Attn: Ms. Sigglee Abernathy, 515 Hatton Road, Leighton, AL 35646.Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Tuscumbia, Directing

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