Mother Shirley J James

Shirley James, 90, passed peacefully Friday morning, September 27, 2024 while in hospice care. Shirley is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bernard James, Ocala, FL; her two daughters, Stephanie James, Ocala, FL, and Wendy Ellis, Gainesville, FL; her two granddaughters, Jhordan Stanley, Redlands, CA and Sydney Karatu, Gainesville, FL; her sister, Marva Benjamin, Washington DC; and her two brothers, Gary Persons, North Little Rock, AR, and Gerald Persons, Cerritos, CA. Shirley was a devoted wife to Bernard, a wonderful Mother to her four children, and a devoted grandmother to her two grandchildren. Two of her children, Kenneth White, passed in November 2019, and Vanda Stanley, passed on September 6, 2024. Shirley always put her children first in her life and made sure they were well disciplined, and cared for. She met and married Bernard, an Air Force Airmen, in Little Rock, AR. Shirley followed Bernard around the globe throughout his military career and beyond to England where Stephanie and Vanda were born, to Germany where Wendy was born. From there they moved to Maryland. Taipei Taiwan and eventually settled for a time in Hampton, Virginia. Later they moved to Savannah, Georgia and Enterprise, Alabama, before settling for twenty six years in Dunnellon and later in life, Ocala, FL. Shirley was one half of the strong backbone that kept the James family together with her no-nonsense attitude, her sense of humor and powerful strength. She made birthdays and holidays magical for her children and was a fierce defender against anyone who attempted to hurt her husband or children. She was a stay at home Mom for many years while her children were in grade school and later worked as a sales associate for JCPenney until retirement. Shirley was a woman of faith and a supporter of her church the Dunnellon Greater Dimensions Christian Assembly. She lived a long, full, happy life filled with travel, a loving family and tons of laughter to help ease the hard times. Women of Shirley's caliber are rare in this world. She was an amazing role model and will be incredibly missed by her family, and all who knew her.

Flowers May Be received on Monday October 14, 2024 from 10am to 2pm at The J.T. Campbell Funeral Home and Cremation Services Macedonia Chapel. 210 West Jefferson Street Brooksville Fl 34601

Funeral Cortege will form at the Family home 9am on Tuesday October 15th 2024.

Celebration of Life to be held on Tuesday October 15,  at 10 am at The Greater Dimension Christian Assembly Church. 19924 West Blue Cove Drive

Dunnellon, FL 34432

Eulogist- Rev. Dr Alec Richardson Pastor 

Final Resting Place- Florida National Cemetery Tuesday October 15th, 2024 at 1:30 pm. The Cemetery is located at 6502 SW 102nd Avenue.

Bushnell, FL 33513

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.