NATCHEZ — Services for Benard James, 77, of Natchez, who died Friday, June 29, 2007, at his residence, will be noon Saturday at Daughters of Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. D.W. Howard officiating.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from noon until 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. James was born Aug. 20, 1929, in Stampley, the son of A.J. James and Sophia Williams James. He retired from a lead plant, in Omaha, Neb., as a furnace tender. Mr. James was a member of Daughters of Zion Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Willie James.

Survivors include his wife, Bettye Barber James of Natchez; children, Mary Ann Holmes and Rose Marie Lee, both of Omaha, Neb., Mack James and wife, Sandra, and Leon James, all of Natchez, Mary James and Lisa James and companion, Deaon Griffin, all of Atlanta, Timothy James and wife, Angela, of Rome, Ga., Valorie James of Meridian; grandchildren, Christopher James Minor and Nia Simone James, both of Rome, Ga., Mackalla James, Elaina James, Fantaisa McGowan, Ronnie McGowan, LaKendrick McGowan, all of Natchez, Patricia Lee and Dawn Holmes, both of Omaha and Dante Lee of Minneapolis, Minn.; special nephews, Adrain Barber and Brian Barber, both of Omaha; a special family, William and Esther McNeely and family of Natchez; brothers-in-law, Mack Arthur Barber and Willie Joe Flowers, both of Goshen, Ala.; a host of other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be friends of the family.