W.T. Shumake & Daughters

Willa Jean Anderson James, 86, departed this life on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at home surrounded by family.

Visitation 6-8 Friday, March 17, 2023 at W.T. Shumake & Daughters Funeral Home 3815 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY. Funeral 10AM Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church 1501 Thomas V. Bryant Drive, Jeffersonville, IN. Burial Eastern Cemetery.

Willa Jean James was born to Samuel and Pina Lee Bridgewater Anderson on June 7, 1936, in Greenburg, Kentucky.

Willa was a good student throughout her formable years and graduated from Lincoln Institute in 1955. She retired from ICI (Indiana Army Ammunition Plant and she also worked at WLKY television station for 15 years until she stopped working at the age of 80 years old.

Willa’s Christian journey started at a young age at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Greensburg Kentucky. Later she united with First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Willa was a hard worker and took care of her family. She was an excellent cook. Everyone raved over her shrimp mode, and jam cakes.

On Sunday, March 12, 2023, Willa Jean James at the age of 86 departed this life peacefully at home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse James, son, Terry James, her parents Samuel and Pina Lee Anderson, her two brothers, Samuel Anderson Jr. and Homer Lee Anderson.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Jesse L. James; sister, Jane Anderson; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; special friends; Dorothy Hickerson, Susan Harris, Lisa Scott; and a host of nieces and nephews, extended family and friends