Obituary: Vernette Sexton James
Vernette Sexton James, a devoted homemaker and beloved member of her community, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis. She was born on January 26, 1938, and leaves behind cherished memories for her family and friends.
Vernette’s career roles included being homemaker, Sears catalog sales representative, and ultimately retiring from Kroger. Despite her various professional pursuits, her true passions lay in her family. She was well known for her love of gardening, reading, and traveling. Vernette loved spending time with her grandchildren, who were a source of immense joy in her life. Born in Hardeman County, she was a resident of Memphis from 1956-1996 and lived in Somerville for one year prior to settling in Byhalia, Mississippi. She was a member of Shelton Road Church of Christ in Collierville.
She is survived by her loving husband, Eugene James of Byhalia, Mississippi, whom she married on July 13, 1957; her daughter, Renae Howell of Pocahontas; her son, Danny James of Palmyra, Virginia; and her sisters, Vadeen Stanfill of Germantown, Ann Wells of Saulsbury, and Vernice Miller of Collierville. Vernette took great pride in her grandchildren: Tiffany Howell, Christopher Lee Howell, May Flowers Shumate (Isabelle), Patrick Shumate (Jimin), Zachary Shumate, Ryan James, Nate Carr-James, and Justin Carr-Friend. She also leaves behind her son-in-law, Jeff Shumate.
Vernette will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy Shumate; sister, Evelyn Easterwood; brother, Dr. Alvis Sexton; and parents, Charles and Annie Belcher Sexton.
Funeral services will be held at Shackelford Funeral Directors Middleton chapel on Friday, December 20, 2024, at were 1 p.m. with the burial in the Rogers Springs Cemetery.
Mrs. James will forever be remembered for her unwavering love, kind spirit, and the legacy of warmth she leaves behind.
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
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