Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Bradford Chapel Baptist Church for Mr. Billy Frank “Frankie” James, 83, of Gore Springs, who died on Saturday, June 22, in Grenada. Frankie will be laid to rest in the James Family Plot in Bradford Chapel Cemetery. The Rev. Franklin Dunn will officiate. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, June 26, at the church.
Frankie was born on July 23, 1940, in Calhoun County, the son of the late Curtis H. Sr. and the late Laura Ethel Alexander James. Frankie, a man of astute intelligence, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in entomology from Mississippi State University. He applied this knowledge, along with his family background in agriculture, to assist farmers all over this area and the Mississippi Delta to ensure their crops produced bountiful yields year after year.
Following his career in agriculture, Frankie lovingly served as his parents’ caregiver until their passing. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church near Gore Springs and was proud to have been baptized in nearby Grenada Lake. He also honorably served in the Mississippi Army National Guard. Frankie enjoyed the simple things in life, always ready to take a long walk and play with his faithful dogs.
In addition to his parents, one sister, Ruby Bianchi; brothers, Jack James, Curtis H. “Buster” James and Robert L. “Tootie” James; nieces, Mona Kay Dickey and Laurie Bueller, and nephews, Terry James and John Dalton, preceded Frankie in death.
Survivors include, one sister, Laura Dalton of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; nieces and nephews, Charles Bianchi, Jack Dalton, Barry Bianchi, Lisa Gwyn, David James, Dan James, Janet Ryan and Harold James; first cousins, Richard James and Thomas James; a host of great nieces and great nephews and a special great-great nephew, Scooter.
Paul Gwyn, Peyton Hamblin, Bradford James, Dan James, David James and Harold James will honor Frankie by serving as pallbearers and carry him to rest in Bradford Chapel Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard James and Thomas James.
The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to his caregiver, Tange James, for the exceptional care he received.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Ronald McDonald House in Jackson, the Grenada Soup Kitchen or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada is in charge of arrangements.
