Edward Lawrence “Ed” James, 95
August 14, 1930 – November 7, 2025
Tupelo – Edward Lawrence James was born in Forsyth County, North Carolina on August 14, 1930 to the late Ernest and Beulah Alice Vanhoy James. After a wonderful earthly journey of 95 years, Ed realized the promises of his lifelong faith and entered eternity from Sanctuary Hospice House on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. He grew up in Kernersville, NC and graduated from Kernersville High School in 1949. Ed married Mary Lou Badgett in March 1952, a marriage of 56 years until her death in 2008.
He found opportunities with Sears and Roebuck in 1950 and worked for the pioneer retail store for over 39 years. His career started in Winston Salem, NC and continued to Kinston, NC in 1953; Little Rock, AR in 1956; Jacksonville, FL in 1959; Daytona Beach, FL in 1964; back to Little Rock, AR in 1967; Baton Rouge, LA in 1973; and his final retirement location, Tupelo, MS in 1974 as Store Manager, until he fully retired in 1989.
He and Mary Lou loved Tupelo and made it their permanent home. Ed was extremely family oriented, his faith was strong, and his civic responsibilities were just who he was! He enjoyed spending his free time in his woodworking shop. He served as a member of the Rotary Club for 20 years, serving on the Board of Directors. He was a longtime member of the Community Development Foundation in Tupelo, was a member of the progressive City of Tupelo Thoroughfare Committee and later in life, enjoyed his membership in the Civitan Club.
He was an active, faithful and devoted member of Harrisburg Baptist Church for 50 years where he served as a Deacon, and Chairman of the Finance Committee during the construction of the new campus on Cliff Gookin Blvd. Ed enjoyed being a member of the Weeks-Tutor Sunday School class. Very active in missions work, he made numerous mission trips with his church to mission fields stateside and abroad.
Ed loved traveling extensively all across the United States and Canada. A devoted member of the Good Sam RV Club, he was MS State Director from 1999-2002, served as Ambassador from 2003-2013 and Southeast Regional Director from 2013-2017. The friendships he made through Good Sam membership and leadership brought him lasting friends for life! A few years after the death of Mary Lou, he married Peggy Barkley Smith in April 2013. They enjoyed being together and Ed loved the family that became a part of him through his marriage to Peggy. Ed’s long life made a positive impact on many people.
Ed is survived by his wife of 12 years, Peggy Smith James; his daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Lynn Hutchins (Terry) of Grenada, MS, and his son, Edward “Eddie” Lawrence James, Jr. (Shannon) of Madison, MS; his grandchildren, Sara Claire Horton (Jared) and their child, William; Drew Hutchins (Josey) and their children, Ben and Teddy; Rebecca Kapustka (Guy) and their children, Avery, Lesa and Guy; Rachel Lott; Jessica Lester and her children, Hagen, Easton and Mia; Jennifer Lott; Reed James (Sam) and their child, Keegan; Zach James (Crawford); Lauren James; and two sisters-in-law, Carol Badgett and Aileen James; Peggy’s family including her daughter, Janet Alexander; her grandchildren, Kimberly White (Stan) and their child, Anna Claire; Sydney Batty (Justin) and their children, Parker, Avery and Annie; Madison Marchant (Derrick) and their children, Nolan and Nash; George Duke (Lauren) and their children, Reagan and Claire; and James Duke (Katelyn) and their child, Lainey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Beulah Alice James; his first wife and the mother of his children, Mary Lou James; a daughter, Alice Marie Lott and 3 siblings, Richard Paul James, Roger Lee James and Imogene Nona James.
The family asked that memorials be made to Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38801 or to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38801. Condolences may be posted on Ed’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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