Ivy Mae James

She was born in Springfield - St Elizabeth, Jamaica on September 1st, 1927, and was partially raised there before migrating to the big life in Kingston, Jamaica, after graduating from school.

Growing up in Kingston at the ripe old age of 21, Ivy went to work for a Dry-cleaning chain known as Bell Drycleaners which was owned by Rutty Bell, her cousin.

At the age of 27, Ivy got married on January 28th ‘1954 to Willie Osmond James a Law Enforcement officer and they begat a son Lloyd James on May 23rd, 1955.

In 1958 Ivy decided to make a change in life and traveled to New York to look for bigger income opportunities. Due to the lack of sponsorship opportunities she decided to make a change in plans and settled in Nassau, Bahamas for a few years. There she worked as a seamstress at a large garment manufacturing company by the name of “Mademoiselle”. She compiled her finances and documentation as she worked toward a long-term plan of permanent residency in the United States.

That goal came to fruition in 1967 when Ivy went to NY for a short while then took up permanent residency in Miami, FL, later becoming a US Citizen. She enjoyed the life of Miami, eventually moving to South Beach just 5 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean where there are white sandy beaches. There she settled for the last 12 years of her life in Florida before relocating to Union City, GA in 1990 under duress from her son Lloyd.

Ivy retired when she came to Georgia and lived a very independent life at Christian City in Union City, GA. She lived in Christian City thru 2022 when Lloyd moved her into his home to be closer and able to take better care of her. She remained fully independent until August 30th, 2024, when she sustained a fall and spent her 97th birthday immobile in bed. That day was a major turning point in her life and led to her departing to hold hands with our Savior, in a much better place.

Ivy’s transition leaves behind a son Lloyd, an only surviving sister Erma Clarke, a nephew Mitro, a niece Simone, 2 grandsons – Gary & Jason a Grand Daughter -Tori Franklin and 2 great-grand sons – Tyson & Braxton. In addition, Ivy has a host of cousins Dolly, Marcia aka “Wendy”, Sherry, Mackey, Beryl, Lisa, Precious, Olive and other family members in Peachtree City, New Jersey, NY, Florida, Jamaica and the UK.

On January 3rd, 2025 Ivy transitioned to be closer to our Heavenly Father as she will be surrounded by Angels & other family members that preceded her departure.

This is the Readers Digest version of a life lived that had a lot of great memories and healthy practices. I am sure Ivy would want to give each one of her family members and friends the gift of infinite health & success in the years to come.