Mr. Marcellous Leo James, after 77 years, transitioned from life to everlasting memory on Wednesday morning, March 3, 2021 from Springfield, Missouri.

In the fall of 1943, on the 11th day of October, God blessed the late Jesse James and Elizabeth {Hill} James with a baby boy, in the quaint town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma. They honored their precious baby boy with the name of Marcellus Leo James.

Marcellous lived with his parents in Nuyaka until the death of his mother, Elizabeth. After the loss of his mother, he was welcomed into the household of his maternal grandparents, Donzel and Flora B Hill. He was baptized at an early age at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Nuyaka, Oklahoma.

He attended Shady Grove School, Nuyaka School, Lincoln High School (Ft. Smith, AR) and Dunbar High School where he participated in softball, baseball and basketball. In the month of November, during his senior year at Dunbar High School in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, a beautiful young lady by the name of Melvinlene Carrethers, saw him walking through the courtyard from an upstairs window and called down to him, "Hey Marcellous!". He responded with a shy smile and wave. She became the love of his life and he began to affectionately call her "Honey". Marcellous married Melvinlene (aka Lynn) on May 27, 1968 and to this union three children were born (Michelle LaTrese, Michael Leo, and Marcy Lynn). Marcellus and Melvinlene were blessed with 52 years and 9 months of marriage, including a 10-year and a 50-year vowel renewal.

Marcellous served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970, was granted an Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant, and is a Vietnam Veteran. During his service in the United States Armed Forces he was awarded a Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Service Star; National Defense Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Air Medal; and Expert (Rifle) Commendation. He retired from General Electric Company after 25 years of employment.

Marcellous was a man of integrity and honor. He was well known and respected for the way that he loved, lead and cared for his beloved wife, his children, and his extended family. He was admired by many.

Throughout his life he enjoyed family vacations; attending family reunions; attending and supporting his children and grandchildren at club meetings, banquets, sporting events, and academic achievement events; cheering on his favorite sports teams, such as OU Sooners, OKC Thunder, and OSU Cowboys; drawing; hunting; boating & fishing; swimming; volunteering for the local VA; and was a very talented Gospel singer. In his adult years he traveled all around Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Paris, France spreading the Gospel through song. He was a beloved member of New Hope International Ministries in Springfield, Missouri.

Marcellous leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Melvinlene "Lynn" James; his three children Michelle LaTrese James, Michael Leo James, & Marcy Lynn James-Boswell (Anthony); six grandchildren: Ryann Nicole Houston, Brandon Marcel James, Brittany Michelle James, Sye Alonzo Lauderdale V, Brooke Mikel James, and TeShaun Marcellas Lauderdale; five great-grandchildren: Bria Michelle James, Brandon Marcel James, Jr., Jaiden Mikel James, Addison Marcia James and Jackson Mitchell James: four brothers Dr. Frank A James, (Dr. Brenda), Lawrence P. James, Randy E. James (Linda), Andrew James; four sisters: Kelley James, Katrina Wright, Ann Wright and Lynn Wright; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service for Mr. James will be on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 1:00 PM in the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1500 North Miami Avenue in Okmulgee.  Dr. D. M. Currington is the gracious host Pastor, and Pastor Harold White, Pastor of New Salem Baptist Church will Officiate.

Burial will follow in the Nuyaka Cemetery, Nuyaka, Oklahoma.