EMMA LEE CHINA JAMES
Sister Emma Lee China James, affectionately known as "Blossom," was born on Oct. 5, 1925, in Sumter County to the late James and Carrie China. She was united in holy matrimony to the late Prince James for 33 years.
She transitioned peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at Roper Hospice Cottage in Mount Pleasant, at the blessed age of 93.
She was educated in the public schools of Sumter. Being the eldest, she knew the importance and value of working. She worked for many years as a housekeeper for several prominent families within the Sumter community. Her greatest joy was taking care of her family - cooking, sewing and baking. Her family thoroughly enjoyed her homemade biscuits, pound cake and sweet potato pies. In addition to the love of baking, her hobbies included watching various soap operas. Her favorite sport was baseball and she was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves. When not watching television, her favorite pastime was reading and solving word puzzle books.
She had an unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a lifelong member of Beulah AME Church, where she worked faithfully in many ministries and auxiliaries, until her health began to fail. She was a member of the senior steward board, the women's missionary society, the lay organization, the church school department and her pride and joy, the senior choir.
She leaves to cherish fond and precious memories: one daughter, Emma J. Dunham of Summerville; two sons, Sammie L. (Gloria) James of Sumter and Earl (Dale) China of Spring, Texas; four grandchildren, Tammy China of Maplewood, New Jersey, Kimberly Dunham of Summerville, Alayna China of Spring and Sharmoney Johnson of Sumter; five great-grandchildren, Bryce Dean of Terre Haute, Indiana, Zachary China of Spring, Dalexus Dingle and Stacionna and Dalashia Brunson of Sumter; two brothers, Elton China of Sumter and Frank (Ruth) China of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; three sisters, Everlena (Marvin) Benson of Hampton, Georgia, Ethel China of Orange, New Jersey, and Agnes China of Easton, Pennsylvania; a stepdaughter, Sadie Evans of Baltimore; a devoted sister-in-law, Sarah China of Sumter; a godson, Isaac McDowell Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Prince Jr.; three brothers, Henry Lee China, Leo China and Sylvester China; and a sister, Lila Mae China Dantzler.
Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.
Mrs. James will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Saturday for viewing until the hour of service.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Beulah AME Church, 3175 Florence Highway, Sumter, with the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Dwayne Bruce, officiating. Interment will follow at Beulah AME Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 608 Atlantic Ave., Sumter.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.