Mr. Joseph James, Sr.

With heartfelt sympathy, the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., and members of the James family announce the passing of Mr. Joseph James of Society Hill, SC. Mr. James transitioned Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Lexington Medical Center, Lexington, SC, after an illness.

The family will be receiving friends starting Wednesday, August 13, 2025, daily from 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM, at the residence, 4177 East Old Camden Rd, Society Hill, SC.

Public viewing will be held 12:00-4:00 PM, Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., 612 S Main St, Darlington, SC. 

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Mt Zion Baptist Church, 3208 N Governor Williams Hwy, Darlington, SC. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. 

In Loving Memory of Joseph James Sr.

    Joseph James, Sr., a beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, peacefully departed this life on Sunday, August 10, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength and enduring faith.

    Born and raised in Society Hill, South Carolina on February 22, 1950, Joseph was a proud member of the Rosenwald High School Class of 1970. On March 10, 1975, he married the love of his life, Leatha James. Together, they built a home filled with love, respect, and faith. This year would have marked their 50th wedding anniversary—a testament to their enduring bond and shared devotion.

    Joseph began his career at Galey & Lord, where he served as a Training Instructor for many years until his well-earned retirement. Even in retirement, he remained active in his community, often cutting grass for local neighbors to help keep the area beautiful and to keep himself busy.

    He was preceded in death by: his devoted wife, Leatha James; his cherished mother, Lille Mae Moses; his father, Edward Lawrence; his dear sister, Queen Esther Johnson;  belovedadopted family members Louella Price, Evander Smith and Geraldine Byrd.

    Joseph leaves to cherish his memory: his children: Joseph James, Jr. of Darlington, South Carolina, Travis James of Georgia, Kelvin James of Darlington, South Carolina and Erica (Don) Cunningham of Columbia, South Carolina; he was a proud grandfather to a host of grandchildren, including Makayla Broome, Crystal (Raheem) White, Myeisha Mouzon, Ahmad James, Jaishon Mack and JaKari James, as well as six great-grandchildren who will carry his legacy forward with love and pride.  He is also survived by his two beloved sisters, Mittie Rea Joint and Christine Hardy both of Darlington, South Carolina; his special uncles: Lee Gary Williams of Rock Hill, South Carolina and Booker T McPhail of Society Hill, South Carolina;  many cherished nieces and nephews whose lives he touched deeply.

Joseph’s life was enriched by his lifelong brotherly friends—Henry McCoy Jr., Donnie Perkins and Willie Bennett—and many others whose lives he touched with kindness and humor. He lovingly embraced his adopted family, including Tommy (Hannah) Smith, Gloria (Sylvester) King, Vanessa Smith, Veronica (Wesley) Dubose, Christine (Michael) McFarland and Teresa Jackson. As a proud member of the 777 Men’s Club, he found joy in fellowship and their lighthearted tradition of picking the week’s winning numbers.

   Joseph will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to family, his quiet strength, and the kindness he extended to everyone he met. While his presence will be deeply missed, his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Joseph James in your thoughts and prayers.

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