As she sprouted and grew, she attended school in Mitchell  County.

Throughout her childhood, Susie was nurtured in the word of God.  As a youth, she began her fellowship with Christ at the New Salem Baptist Church in Baconton, Georgia where she served faithfully for many years.  After moving to Albany, Georgia, she united with the Israelite Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Harris.  Mother James was a woman who was strong in faith, in character, and in wisdom.  She was a vessel whose faith in God never wavered for she was deeply rooted and grounded in the Lord.

In 1924, believing that marriage was ordained by God, she was united in holy matrimony to Sidney James, Sr.—a union that  endured  through the years until his death in 1970.  Though this union, she became a loving and devoted mother to 18 children, and also raised two grandchildren as her own.  Mother James' commitment to her family was the cornerstone of who she was.  She was also an avid gardener who would sell or give away some of her harvest to others.  Over the years, she enjoyed quilting, cooking, and traveling well into her 100s.

Blessed beyond measure, "Mother, Grandma, Grandmuddy, Grannie, G-Ma, Muddy, or Miss Susie" as she was lovingly called, reached the hallowed age of 107.  She lived to see five generations of her off-springs with whom she left a legacy of love, humility, generosity, caring, and godliness.  Oftentimes during her life, she talked about her childhood and humble beginnings; her years of sharecropping and picking cotton; and her determination to have a house of her own that no one could take away from her.  She was a strong but gentle woman with a heart of gold having been a member of the East Society Charity Club for over 20 years.  Her home was the gathering spot for family, friends, and neighborhood children for whom she served as the "neighborhood watch"— especially the students attending Jackson Heights Elementary School.  Her friendliness and kindness to all people, her commitment to her church and community,  and her devotion and love for her family and friends are lasting tributes to the beauty of her heart and soul.  Her presence will deeply be missed by all who had the privilege to have known her.

On Friday, June 2, 2017, God saw fit to bring Mother James' earthly journey to a close and transitioned her to eternal rest.  In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, she was preceded in death by  eleven children, Maxie Bell Childs, Sidney James, Jr., Melvin C. James, Willie W. James, Willie H. James, Bessie Harris, Mildred Ellis, Mercee James, Roger James, Robert James, and Eddie G. James.

Loving memories will forever be cherished by her children, Sadie Robinson, Ann Johnson, Glendette (AD) Thomas, Susie Lyerly, Runnette Johnson, Larry (Cassandra) James, and Carvin (Barbara) James; daughters– and sons-in-law, Jewell James, Magalene James, and James Ellis; a myriad of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; and a host of cousins, extended family, and friends.

"Growing up, I loved to see my family every 4th of July and how we came together as one. I used to cut grass every Saturday; and if I did, there was always 'sweet bread' waiting for me. I will always cherish the times going to club meetings, singing at Israelite Baptist Church, and the love I got from my grandmother. She was a bold woman who held generations together with over 200 grand, great grand, and great-great grandchildren. She is my HERO—a pioneer of the community. She was one of those women who believed that it takes a neighbor to raise a child. She touched the lives of so many children in East Albany. If you went to Jackson Heights, you knew who she was. If you tried to skip school, she would turn you right around. Even after raising so many children of her own, she still had enough love for everyone else. She sang hymns in the house—she was a virtuous woman. If you ask the definition of a virtuous woman—that's Mrs. Susie Mae James. God only promises us 70 years, and she lived 37 over that. So, I rejoice and I salute my grandmother. Heaven is rejoicing."

Grandson Dwayne Thomas