JAMES A. MOLETTE

James A Molette was born on September 14, 1930 in Paulette (Noxubee County), Mississippi to the late Fred and Roberta (Bryant) Molette. James was named after his grandfather and was the oldest of three siblings, Amargia, Laura, and Andre. James lived his life as a loyal, caring, humble, helpful, friendly, reverent, dutiful, committed, dependable, jovial, and trustworthy person. 

James was raised by his paternal grandmother Lauraine on a farm in Paulette, Mississippi after his mother took his sisters, Amargia and Laura Mae, to Mobile, Alabama to find better employment. He worked on the farm and worked with his father as a sharecropper after school. He graduated from elementary school and attended high school until he had to work the land fulltime with his father. As a boy, James enjoyed playing basketball, singing in a band and playing a guitar, listening to music, catching rabbits, crawdads, and fish, raising chickens, gardening, and helping his grandmother. He lived with his grandmother until her demise in 1949 or 1950. His mother took him to live with his sisters in Chicago, Illinois where she later migrated. His father moved to Los Angeles, California in 1950. While in Chicago James attended trade school to become an electrician and worked as a packer at Economy Lamp from 1950 to 1951. 

James was drafted on October 5, 1951 into the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean War during the harsh winter. He was honorably discharged in July 1953 and was decorated the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Camp Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. He was transferred later to the U.S. Army Reserve where he completed eight years of service. He served his country and did his duty, but he never spoke of it.  

James returned to Chicago after the war to be with his mom, sisters, and his extended family, and to find love and employment. He met Virginia McPherson (Miller) at a friend’s house party. James fell in love with Virginia and her eight children. James and Virginia married on November 19, 1971 at City Hall in Chicago, and from this union Yolanda Molette was born.  

James found fruitful employment at Hot Point (General Electric), where he worked on a refrigerator assembly line for more than 25 years until his retirement in 1989. General Electric awarded him a trophy for the employee who never missed a day of work. James remained active during his retirement enjoying basking in the sun, watching sports, gardening, buying real estate, and helping others, including his mother who he dutifully visited every Sunday after church.  

James was led to Christ in 1988 by Rev. Raphael Bryant after much prayer and support from his wife Virginia. He was baptized at Kedvale New Mt. Zion Church and began his new journey through Christ. James became an active and devoted member of the church like his wife and mother. He never missed Sunday School, weekly prayer meeting, nor Bible class. He even brought donuts regularly for Sunday School. After proving himself to be faithful and committed, James became an ordained deacon serving by Rev. Calvin Bryant Sr.’s side and a Church Trustee. James was dedicated, dependable and a willing member. James enjoyed singing in the gospel choir and like his father, he regularly led his favorite congregational songs “Tis the Old Shepard Zion” and “There’s a Beautiful Home.”  

On November 28, 2020, the Lord called James home to his final resting place. James graced us with his presence and touched us all. He will be missed by all, but not forgotten. 

James leaves to cherish his memory: four daughters, Yolanda Molette (Tim Seufert) of San Francisco, CA, Gloria Jackson (Carl Jackson) and Frances Gordon (Arthur) of Chicago, IL, and Mildred of Liberia, Africa; one daughter-in-law Beverly McPherson; three sons, Kevin McPherson of St. Louis, MO, and Steve McPherson and Roscoe McPherson (Mae) of Chicago, IL; one sister, Amargia Richardson of Chicago, IL; 32 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Loved ones who preceded James in death: his loving wife Virginia Molette, one sister Laura Higgins, one brother Andre Molette, one son Edward McPherson, one daughter Leona Davis, one son-in-law Walter Dean.  

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