Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 20, 2016

Robert Jackson James CHARLOTTE - The Reverend Robert Jackson James passed away February 20, 2016, at age 90, surrounded by many loved ones. He was born June 6, 1925, in Jonesville, SC, to the late Ola Alene Holcomb James and Andrew Jackson James. Raised in Charlotte, Bob graduated from Derita High School in May 1942 and, after working a brief time in the Charleston Naval Yard, he entered the United States Navy. After graduating from the Naval V-6 program, he was assigned to Destroyer Escort, U.S.S. Robert Brazier. Duty in the Pacific carried the Brazier from New Guinea, through the Philippines, Okinawa and on to Japan. Following discharge from the Navy in 1946, Bob returned to Charlotte, married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Josephine Garrison, and worked in electrical contracting until 1953. Answering a call to the Christian ministry, he attended and graduated in 1956 from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He faithfully served pastorates at First Presbyterian Church, Cordele, Georgia; Gordon Street Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, Georgia; Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany, Georgia; and Paw Creek Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. In 1973, he was elected General Presbyter/Stated Clerk of Mecklenburg Presbytery. He retired January 1, 1990 and went on to serve interim pastorates at First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte and First Presbyterian Church in Belmont, NC. Bob served for twenty-five years on the Board of Trustees of Queens University. Bob was predeceased by his wife of fifty-seven years, Nancy, who died in 2003 and by his sister, Dorothy Cochrane. He is survived by his wife of nine years, Betty Robinson James, and his son Mike James and Mike's wife Katie along with Pop's beloved granddaughters, Dorothy, Sallie, and Abigail and her husband, Chris. He is also survived by his sister, Maxine Davis; step-daughters, Sherry Harrelson and fiance Buddy Guin, and Glenna Bowen and her husband, John; step-grandchildren, Byers Bowen and wife Ann, Matthew Rowell and wife Lauren, Lauren Sracic and husband Jim, and Elizabeth Rowell; step-great-grandchildren, Hannah and Grant Bowen. The family expresses its sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to Bob's many compassionate and loving caregivers at the Ivey and at the Stewart Health Center at The Cypress in Charlotte. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 27, at First Presbyterian Church Charlotte. His family will receive family and friends at a reception at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202; Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207 or Hospice and Palliative Care of the Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave Charlotte NC 28204. Phone: 704 641-7606