He attended the public schools of Dougherty County and participated in numerous school functions and activities.

At an early age, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and united with the Sandersgift Baptist Church of Terrell County under the leadership of Reverend Murray.

He was united in holy matrimony to Flora Brown and they were blessed with two loving daughters.

James had many passions in his life and was always busy pursuing them.  He was an incredibly skilled painter who diligently utilized his talents in the construction industry through his employment with Joe's Professional Painting Service of Albany for more than 30 years.

Husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and loyal friend; James was a man with a big heart and outstretched hands.  Many lives were enriched by him and he had a wonderful way of putting people at ease.  If he could make you laugh or make your day a little better in any way, he would feel he had done something worthwhile.

On Sunday, June 18, 2017, James' earthly journey quietly ended at his residence, and he transitioned to his eternal home.  In addition to his biological parents, he was also predeceased by his adopted parents, Roosevelt and Rosa Griffin; two siblings, Judy Ann Mitchell and Hayward Griffin; brother-in-law, Boise Brown; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Brown.

He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his fond memories a loving wife, Flora Mitchell; seven children, Katie Thomas, Latraysia Sanders, Tameka Mitchell, Jason Brown and Tony Oliver all of Albany, GA, and Beneashia Tift and Kevin Brown both of Jacksonville, FL; five siblings, Barbara (Hayward) Alfred of Syracuse, NY, Myrtice (Ernest) Williams and Grace Winchester of Albany, GA, Frank (Nola) Mitchell, and John (Thalia) Mitchell of Pensacola, FL; sisters-in-law, Bernice (Frank) Daniels, Gwen (Rev. Willie) McDaniels, and Rosa Harris; brother-in-law, Willie Bine; aunts, Johnnie Hunter, Joe Bell Hicks, and Lillie Lumpkin all of Albany, GA; eighteen grandchildren and one great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.