Anna Juanita (Diggs) James

Anna Juanita Diggs was born Monday, June 22 in the year of 1936 in Columbus, OH.

She spent much of her early life in Cincinnati where she was very active at Cincinnati Central Vocational High School. She was an Art Council Member, Academic Excellence Chair, Chorus singer, Band Piano Player, Yearbook Curator, Field Hockey Player, Volleyball Player, Softball Player, and an active Christian Student Club Member. From high school Anna went to Aenon Bible College where she excelled as a Bible Scholar, and met her husband of 65 years, John Andrew James. They married in Columbus, on her 21st birthday, then moved to Detroit where they immediately started a family. They had eight children: Constance, John, Ana, Joseph, Jennifer (preceded in death), Fredric, Harold, and Jeremy.

The James house was always the hub for both neighborhood, and church youth - Mrs. James was not only the epitome of love and grace, but had a gift of hospitality and counseling. not to mention cooking.

Anna began a Cub Scout Pack under The Boy Scouts of America, where she became the Ist Woman Cub Master in Wayne County, Michigan. Mrs. Anna James organized many activities for her scout troops including baseball leagues, Scout Olympics, Community Networks for food donations, and teamed up with Girl Scouts of America fundraisers that benefitted hundreds of City of Detroit students in the Winship Community District.

Her spiritual life was full of many accomplishments as well. As a singer and piano player, she was fully engaged in every part of church music. Under the PAW, Pentecostal Assemblies Of The World, she became the Youth Choir Director in 1977. She was always involved in every aspect of many PAW church activities in Detroit, and Metro-Detroit, organizing concerts, managing performances, and mentoring hundreds of young singers and musicians. In later years, she regularly taught Bible class, and also used her skill in American Sign Language every Sunday as a Liturgical Dancer. Anna Juanita was a staunch believer that loving people, and extending generosity, a listening ear, and honest counsel are what bring people closer to God.

Anna loved travel and frequently accompanied Johnny on his ministry trips. She traveled all over the US and a few international destinations. She also enjoyed vacationing when not ministering visiting Alaska, Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Grand Cayman, Hawaii, St. Lucia, and South Africa which was her favorite.

Anna Juanita Diggs James had a special and generous endowment of all things creative, and an acute know-how of mechanical things that would put any so-called handyman to shame. But it was her loving spirit, sense of humor and wisdom that always drew people to her. Everyone is a witness to the godly counsel of Anna Juanita. To this very day, many around the world affectionately, and respectfully call her Mother James.

A Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 1 p.m. in Greater Grace Temple.  Burial will follow in Ferncliff Cemetery.

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