Sam Ella James

October 1, 1926 – August 6, 2019

Service

Friday, August 9, 2019
Public Viewing: 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
@ Nelson & Sons Chapel Murfressboro
448 East Burton St., Murfreesboro, TN

Saturday, August 10, 2019
Family Visitation: 11:00 A.M.
Funeral Service: 12:00 Noon

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
762 Holly Grove Rd
Lascassas, Tennessee

Interment
Lovvorn Cemetery
Barfield Community
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Ms. Sam Ella James was born October 1, 1926 on Franklin Road (also known as the Blackman Community) in Murfreesboro, TN. She was the last child born to the late Sam and Emma Clark after four girls. They were looking forward to possibly having a boy. They had decided that he was going to be named after Sam Clark, but after she was born, they named her Sam Ella. She was the baby, known from that day until the day of her homegoing as “Baby Clark.” She transitioned this life after an extended illness on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at her residence.

She was educated in the Rutherford County school system. She was retired from Chromolox. She loved her sisters and they were her best friends. She was very good and competitive at various card and board games. It didn’t matter who she was playing against, other activities she was engaged in, she never lost her competitive edge. She was always full of joy and laughter. She was a very fashionable dresser and was known for wearing nice and elegant hats!

Ms. Sam Ella James was a lifelong member of the Mt Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. She later started attending and joined Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with her daughter, who was her caregiver.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Willie James; four sisters, Ada Mary Garrett, Emma Sue Roper, Mattie Laura Crouse and Bessie Lou Bowling.

Ms. Sam Ella leaves to cherish her memories three devoted children; Henry James Goodrich, Jr. (Vannessa) of Dallas, TX, Kenneth Lee Goodrich (Dr. Donna) of Huntsville, AL and Sheila Goodrich of Murfreesboro; nine grandchildren, Henry James Goodrich, III (Trae), Abdul Selah Antron Peebles, Daquita Joane’l Goodrich, Daryl K. Mitchell, Jr., William Dejuan Goodrich, Kenneth Lee Goodrich, Jr., Elijah Shaddai Goodrich, Mekelah Sherith Goodrich, A’Jhana Sabrie Johnson; ten great grandchildren; one uncle, Donald Myles of Fort Wayne, IN; very devoted cousin, Roberta Taylor, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.