Dr. Steven Lennell James, Sr. was born November 9, 1964, in Aberdeen, MS to Moses James, Sr, and Virginia Ann James.  Angels were dispatched to usher him home on the morning of Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Pastor Steven L. James, Sr. accepted Christ at an early age and united with the Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, MS. In later years, he became a member of the Maranatha Faith Center in Columbus, MS, where he would remain for 23.5 years.  While attending Fourth Street and Maranatha, he was an active member of the choir. Pastor James was called to the Ministry while attending Maranatha. Later, he was chosen to be the Shepherd of United Christian Baptist Church, where he served as the pastor for 17 years.

Pastor James was a devoted husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was a graduate of Caldwell High School Class of 1982. After high school, he attended Tuskegee University, Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women, where he obtained a Bachelor of Social Science degree in 1996. Pastor James also obtained his Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Jacksonville Theological Seminary in 2016.

Pastor James dedicated many years mentoring and coaching baseball teams at Propst Park. Utilizing his degree, he became a high school history teacher at Aliceville High School, Aliceville, AL.  While at Aliceville High School, he also served as both a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Assistant Baseball Coach.  He left the school system and classroom to pursue entrepreneurship and became a prominent businessman. He founded On-Time Taxi, On-Time Transportation and HAIR 4U Beauty Supply, where he was fortunate to be able to serve his community and surrounding areas. Pastor James was a member of the 100 Black Men of Columbus, MS-GT, President of the Columbus Police Department Overview Committee, as well as past Commissioner on the Golden Triangle Regional Airport Authority Board.

Pastor James was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia A. James, his paternal grandparents, Aaron and Lucy James; his maternal grandparents, William and Henrietta Roberts, and his sisters, Doris Kelley and Barbara Thompson.

Pastor James' memories will forever be cherished by his wife, First Lady Rosie James; children, Steven (La'Sheena) James, Jr., Jahbu Takodjou (Tiffany) James, Shamar (Aaliyah) James, Letessia (Andre) Penick, Kori (Stanley) Jones and Derrick (Lizbeth) Finn; siblings, Carol Thompson and Trina L. James of Columbus, MS; Moses (Annette) James Jr. of Tupelo, MS; Adam (Juwana) Ferguson of West Point, MS; and Keoki M. (Yolanda) James of Gulfport, MS; grandchildren, Maila Johnson, Layla James, Rajah James, King James, Nala James, Makayla Bush, Jasmine Bush, Charlie Penick, Dylan Rose Jones, Cruz Jones; one aunt, Peggy James; two uncles, A.J. James, and W.C. James.  He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Carter's Funeral Services invites you to join in the Homegoing Celebration of Dr. Steven L. James, Sr. on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. CST.

Please click on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/Wy1qIDaW7XM?si=udAcmtR9ZMx4SUta