Mother Catherine (Bivins) James

Because I could not stop for death, death kindly stopped for me. I welcomed my departure from this land because life has been good to me. I was once told that great souls die and sometimes memories fade away, but I am leaving each of you my legacy because God has set me free. 
 

Mother Catherine B. James departed this life on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at Wrightsville Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in , Wrightsville, GA. 
 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 25,2023 at 2 p.m. at Union Hill Baptist Church, 2389 Deepcut Rd., Tennille, GA. Burial  followed in the church cemetery. 
 

Mother Bivins was born November 12, 1933, to the parentage of the late Mr. Sammy Bivins, Sr. and the late Missionary Lizzie Mae (Perry) Bivins.  She retired from Washington County Regional Medical Center and returned to private duty at the Extended Care Facility.

She was a strong woman of God with unshakeable faith in her heavenly father.  Mother James was an active member of Dixon Grove Church of God in Christ for many years.  She served in the following areas- Prayer Warrior President, Praise Team Leader, Choir Member, and Mother’s Board.  She was also a Deaconess serving with her late husband Deacon George James, Sr.  She received multiple Certificates of Appreciation from her church.

She was joined in Holy Matrimony to the late George L James Sr. on December 28, 1952.  The marriage of 54 years resulted in the birth of four children.  

She loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family.  Some of the family favorites were her collard greens, cornbread patties, and sweet potato pies.

She was preceded in death by her parents Mr. Sammy Bivins Sr. and Missionary Lizzie Mae (Perry) Bivins; son Horace Lee James; brothers Jeff Bivins, Peter Bivins, Elijah Bivins, John Lewis Bivins, Mainer Bivins, and Sammy George Bivins; sisters Mary Warthen, Matinee Martin.

Mother James is survived by her children: George L (Janice) James, Jr., John Creek, GA; Kathy (Cleveland) Rayford, Hampton, VA; Carlissa (Melvin) Williams, Tennille, GA; brothers: Willie (Bonita) Bivins, Atlanta, GA; devoted Goddaughter: Missionary Deborah Brown, Tennille, GA; sisters-in-law: Helen Bivins, Oak Hill, FL; Rhonda Bivins, North Carolina; Caroletha Bivins, Wrightsville, GA; Diane Bivins, Sandersville, GA; devoted sister-in-law: Jewel James Lucas, Chicago; grandchildren: Brian DeAndre James, Macon, GA; George L James, III, (Tre), Smyrna, GA; Janai James, John Creek, GA; Cleveland Rayford, III, Greensboro, NC; Tee-Sha Rayford, Hampton, VA; Travis Cumming, Baltimore, MD; Tiffany James, McDonough, GA; Mia Williams, Sandersville, GA; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Wheeler’s Funeral Home was entrusted with final arrangements. 

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