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Charles Edward James, Jr.

Jan. 6, 1948 – Dec. 12, 2023

VIDALIA – Services for Charles Edward “Eddie” James, Jr., 75, of Vidalia who died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Jackson will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at First Baptist Church Vidalia, La.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 until 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at First Baptist Church Vidalia.

Eddie was born on Jan. 6, 1948, in Natchez to Charles Edward James, Sr. and Dorothy Felter James.

He graduated from Natchez High School in 1966 where he played baseball and football and excelled in academics. He received a football scholarship to Ole Miss. He returned home in May 1968 and married Elizabeth W. James on Sept. 13th. Eddie Enlisted in the military, Army branch in Feb. 1969 and served a tour in Vietnam. He was multi-talented in his working career, excelling at Armstrong Rubber Co., Finance Manager for Dossett Olds GMC, later founding his own dry-cleaning business with seven locations, and entering his oilfield career at the age of 50. He worked offshore in the Gulf of Mexico for over 20 years as a Production Operator and became a pipeline inspector for Enterprise Products for the last 5 years in Carlsbad New Mexico where he made wonderful co-workers that became like family.

Eddie mentored many youths who grew up in Natchez by coaching, umpiring, and accomplishing several championships during his coaching days. He had the privilege of umpiring in the Little League World Series in Florida. He was loved and adored by all who knew him. He was the most kind, caring, and loving person to his friends and acquaintances. He adored his family most of all.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Libby James; grandmothers, Estelle McMillan and Elizabeth Felter; nephew, Chris James, in-laws, Charles Lee and Leona Williams; brother-in-law, Lee Williams, and son-in-law Matt McGivaren.

He is survived by his wife, Liz of 55 years; his son, Charles Edward James III (Audra Ater) of Lake St John; daughter, Jennifer McGivaren-Bryant (Hilton) of Vidalia, La.; grandchildren, Kelsey James (John McNeil), Landry McGivaren (Karlee), Kamryn James, Andrew McGivaren, Cole McGivaren (Skylar Bolyer), Julianne Keeton (Kyle), James and Will Bryant, Garrett Vinson, Brooke Magee, and Glaston Magee; great-children, Kallie Kate McNeil, Collins, and Mattie McGivaren; brother, Jimmy James (Felicia) of Petal, MS; sister-in-Law, Brenda Williams of Madison, MS; nephews, Chip Williams (Suzanne) of Gluckstadt, MS; Russ Williams (Carrie) of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Connor, Andrew (Lindsay) and Gabriel James, and Daniel Walton; nieces, Rebekah Conn (Kyle), Allison James, and Emily James; great-nieces, Madison Williams and Ella Hicks Williams; great-nephews, Dillon Williams, Hayes Williams, and Hudson Williams.

Pallbearers will be Landry McGivaren, Andrew McGivaren, Cole McGivaren, Chip Williams, Gene Williams, Mark Williams, Mike Williams, and Richard Prescott.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jarrod Leachman, Bubba Richardson, Freddie Sandel, Russ Williams, Burkes Brown, and John McBride.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.