It’s with profound sorrow that the James, Gbarbea, Gaye-Cooper, Clarke, Badio, Grebo-Harris households and Margbor descendants of Grand Bassa County announce the homegoing of our beloved matriarch, Mom Edna Earl James—a loyal mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and buddy. She peacefully gained her wings on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Deptford, New Jersey.
Her Legacy of Love
Mom James was born on Might 12, 1937 in Kakata, Liberia. She lived a lifetime of service, religion, and management, touching numerous lives along with her kindness, knowledge, and power.
She leaves to cherish her reminiscence her kids: Gradia Melrose Gbarbea, Leemu Gbarbea, Mayeadeh Gaye, Roseline Clarke, Henry James, Arthur James, Yatta Gaye-Biancolin ,William Ross and a number of other different kids; her brothers Edward James and Henry James; grandchildren Nuwoo Pope, Elma “PJ” Garway, Mameni Edna Rose Gbarbea, Sayda Colavita, Sean Thomas, Charles Kowou, and Ava Moore; great-grandchildren Michael Pope III, Adrian Colavita, Calliope Colavita, Eulalee-Charity Avaan, Euli-Energy Msughter Avaan, and Carmelo Colavita; together with the United Methodist Church household and a bunch of family and associates worldwide.
She was preceded in dying by her dad and mom Mardea Kemah Harris and Jacob James, her son Twagley Gbarbea, her daughter Nuwoo Gbarbea, her sisters Hawa Badio, Musu Rose Jallah, Lydia Simpson, her brother Joshua “Peewee” James, and lots of different family members.
Schooling
- St. Teresa’s Convent Excessive Faculty, Monrovia, Liberia 1959
- Laboratory Excessive, College of Liberia – Summa Cum Laude, Class of 1970
- Pitman Faculty of Secretarial Science, London, England (1971–73)
- In-Service Coaching & Management Growth – Gregg Secretarial Faculty, Monrovia
Skilled and Neighborhood Service
Mom James devoted over three many years of her profession to the Ministry of Info, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (1961–1990’s– the beginning of the Liberian civil struggle). She served as Director of the Film Movie Census Board and proudly represented Liberia at FESTAC ’77 in Lagos, Nigeria beneath the route of her supervisors, Hon. Bai. T. Moore, Deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs and Tourism and Dr, Edward B, Kesseley Minister of Info, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Liberia on the time.
When Rev,.Dr. Bennie D. Warner, Bishop of the Liberian Annual Convention of the United Methodist Church turned Vice President of the Republic, her member of the family, Mom James and different group leaders and descendants of the Mamba area of Montserrado County held over a week-long celebration in Vice President Warner’s honour.
Put up struggle Liberia, Mom James and her household established the Mardea Kaemah Elementary & Junior Excessive Faculty and Neighborhood Outreach Middle named in reminiscence of her late mom, who had no formal training however valued its significance and made immense sacrifices to make sure her kids and others within the township bought educated. Mom Edna Earl James following the values of her mom initiated the college and group outreach and grownup studying heart within the early 2000’s in her hometown of Glebo Harris Township, Decrease Careysburg.At it preliminary onset, Mom Edna E, James ensured that this tuition-free and household privately funded college, offered academic, life and social expertise.resembling crafts making, stitching, cleaning soap making, tyedying, fundamental agricultural/farming amongst different companies for the scholars. The Mardea Kaemah Middle included an grownup literacy program, month-to-month film evening for the group, weekly feeding packages for the scholars.
The college, which was later turned over to the federal government continues to serve an adverage of over 300 college students within the Decrease Careysburg area at present. Most not too long ago, it was her desired to return to Liberia and work witth her church and group. She desired to increase the college to a vocational highschool to assist deal with the wants of the deprived youths within the space.
She was additionally a proud member of the Liberia Nationwide Lady’s Information Affiliation, representing Liberia in Ghana within the the late Fiftes and on the Diamond Jubilee of the World Federation of Ladies Guides and Ladies Scouts in London in 1971 the place she and others from world wide dined with Queen Elizabeth, the Grand Patron
Her excellent service earned her recognition, together with a New York State Proclamation for lifetime achievement and group affect in 2012 by Senator Neil Breslin.
Church Life
A loyal Christian, Mom James was deeply rooted within the United Methodist Church:
- Blacktom UMC, Decrease Careysburg – Sunday Faculty Trainer, Superintendent, Administrative Chair
- Monrovia District United Methodist Ladies – Vice President & later President.
She traveled broadly for church conferences throughout Sierra Leone, Ghana, and South Africa.
Mom was honored as Mom of the 12 months by the United Methodist Church and served as Lifetime Mom and Grand Matriarch of the Blacktom United Methodist Church, Decrease Careysburg. The Albany United Methodist Ladies of the erstwhile Troy Annual Convention of theUnited Methodisr Church of Upstate New York additionally honored her for work in academic outreach. The Arch Road United Methodist Church in Philadelphia had beforehand acknowledged her work and outreach in Lliberia.
Celebration of Life
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 – 8:00 a.m.
Venue: Trinity United Methodist Church, 351 North Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312
Interment: Manahath Cemetery, 730 N. Primary Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Contributions
Donations could also be despatched to Beyan G. Kesselly – (215) 704-1606 – Financial institution of America
Contacts
- Rev. Titus Clarke – (717) 601-9977
- Gradia Melrose Gbarbea – (518) 364-5453
- Leemu Gbarbea – (240) 498-9369
- Mayeadeh Gaye – (856) 366-8225
- Oscar Badio – +231 88 684 8592
- Warnerlyn R. Warner – (916)271-4048
- Dr. Edwin Kaliku, – (518)-330-1027
- Rev. Nellie Wright -+231-8865-89308
- Christiana Harmon +231 777 514754
Lodge Lodging
- Courtyard by Marriott Glassboro Rowan College – Room block (Oct. 18–20). Charge: $249/evening. Final day to e-book: Oct. 10, 2025.
- DoubleTree Cherry Hill – Room block (Oct. 16–20). Remaining pricing and reserving hyperlink TBD.
Dawn: Might 12, 1937
Sundown: September 18, 2025
Who can discover a virtuous girl? For her value is way above rubies. Her kids come up up and name her blessed. (Proverbs 31)
It’s with deep sorrow that the James, Margbor descendants, Gbarbea, Gaye-Cooper, and Clarke households announce the passing of our matriarch, beloved mom, grandmother, nice grandmother, aunt, sister, and cousin.
Mom James gained her wings on Thursday, September 18, 2025 in Deptford, New Jersey, USA.
She was welcomed into eternity by her dad and mom, Mardea Kemah James Harris and Jacob James.
Left to embrace her recollections are her kids; Gradia Melrose Gbarbea (Mameni Gbarbea), Nuwoo Gbarbea-Dunlap-predeceased (Nuwoo Dunlap-Pope: Michael III, Saydah Dunlap Colavita: Adrian, Calliope, Carmelo), Leemu B. Gbarbea (Elma “PJ” Garway: Eulalee, Euli, Sean Thomas), Mayeadeh P. Gaye (Charles Kowou, Ava Moore); Roseline Clarke, Henry James, Arthur James, and Bensideh Gaye Cooper-predeceased. Siblings: Edward James, Henry James, Predeceased: Joshua “Pewee” James, Hawa Massalley Badio, Rose Massalley Jallah, and Lydia Simpson; and a bunch of different family and associates.
Might the soul of our dearest mom relaxation in excellent peace.
*Celebration of Life*
*Household Viewing*
Friday: October 17, 2025
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Exodus Funeral Chapel
1740 Greenwood Avenue
Hamilton Township, NJ 08609
*Funeral Providers*
Saturday: October 18, 2025
Viewing/Tributes
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Service:
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Trinity United Methodist Church
351 North Delsea Drive
Clayton, NJ 08312
Interment:
Manahath Cemetery
730 N Primary Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028
**Contacts**
Gradia Gbarbea (518) 364-5453
Leemu Gbarbea (240) 498-9369
Mayeadeh Gaye (856) 366-8225
Rev. Titus Clarke (443) 761-9652
Oscar Badio +231 886 848592
Warnerlyn Warner (916) 271-4048
