Ebenezer James, Jr.

EBENEZER "SONNY" JAMES, JR.
June 3, 1944 -- January 29, 2024

Funeral Services for Ebenezer "Sonny" James, 79, of Hamburg, AR will be held at 2 o'clock p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2024. Service will be held at Emmanuel Temple Church of God In Christ, 312 West Foote Street, Hamburg; Bishop Danny Mays officiating. passed away on January 29, 2024 at his home in Hamburg, Arkansas.

Ebenezer was born on January 3, 1944 to Ebenezer and Lillie Mae Block James in Monticello, Arkansas. He attended school through 8th grade at Baxter Junior High School. Unfortunately, he had to leave school to help support his family. He worked various jobs, including working at Burlington Spinning Plant for several years. Even though he only had an eighth grade education, he had a brilliant mind.

"Sonny" accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Gethsemane African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cominto, Arkansas. He later accepted his call into the ministry under the leadership of Reverend Tyrone Broomfield. He was ordained and licensed under Bishop Fredrick Calhoun James of the 12th Episcopal Conference in 1976. His first pastorial assignment was in Thebes, Arkansas. He then united with First Baptist Church in Lacy, Arkansas under the leadership of Reverend James Simpson.

At an early age, he started his own business in the pulpwood/logging business. As owner & operator of his business, he had a substantial number of crew members. In later years, he ventured further into the pulpwood business and started hauling logs until his health would not allow him to continue. After retiring, he begin his walk of faith and was led to start his own ministry, St. James Fellowship Church in Hamburg, Arkansas.
He was passionate about fishing and building and often indulged in mechanic work from time to time. He was a dedicated individual who loved to preach the Word of God. He was going to tell you what's right and what's wrong based on the King James Version of the Bible.

His legacy will remain with his family and community -- remembering him as a kind, gentle, patient, loving, God-fearing, Reverend, husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend who encouraged them to pursue their goals, live life to the fullest and walk a path of faith.

Pastor James passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 29, 2024. He is survived by his spouse of 34 years, Rose Mary James of Hamburg, AR; seven children, his sons, Melvin James of Monticello, AR and Mark (Candra) Simpson of Fort Worth, TX; his daughters, Velinda Ann (Curtis) Woodard and Shavon James of Monticello, AR, Jennifer James-Parks of White Hall, AR, Erica Simpson and Kizzy Simpson of Hamburg, AR: four sisters Mable (Freddy) Brooks of St. Louis, MO, Berdie James of Monticello, AR, Pearlee (Henry) Byers of Monticello, AR, Anita Ferguson of Dallas, TX and one brother, David James (Aline) of Little Rock, AR; one aunt, Katherne (Richard) Franklin of Detroit Michigan; 29 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Visitation, for family and friends, will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Dillard Funeral Home, 738 East Oakland Avenue, Monticello, AR.

Burial will take place at Gethsemane Cemetery, Cominto Community, Highway 35 East. Service entrusted to Dillard Funeral Home, 738 East Oakland Avenue, Monticello, AR.