Mrs. Ada Williamson James

Raleigh, NC -It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Mrs. Ada Williamson James of Raleigh, North Carolina formerly of Sanford, North Carolina. She transitioned in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 01, 2026, at her residence.

Born in Yanceyville, North Carolina, on December 15, 1945, to the late David Jr. and Pearl Williamson, Ada grew up alongside her two older siblings in a community surrounded by a large, loving extended family. This environment nurtured, protected, and shielded them from many of the harsh realities of growing up in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. A strong moral code was instilled in her character from an early age, guiding her throughout life.

Ada was a dedicated student who excelled at every step, culminating in her selection as the valedictorian of the Class of 1964 at Caswell County Training School in Yanceyville, North Carolina. In the fall of 1964, she matriculated to North Carolina College at Durham, where she majored in Home Economics and graduated cum laude. She later earned a master’s degree in School Counseling.

Ada was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Delta Rho Chapter, was selected in Who’s Who in America Colleges and Universities as a college senior and was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at North Carolina College at Durham.

Ada spent most of her career shaping young minds, serving first as a teacher in the Wake County School System (at Broughton High and Martin Middle Schools) and later spent 23 years as a counselor at East Lee Middle School in Sanford, North Carolina. During her 33 years in education, she excelled in guiding students to reach their fullest potential. Her guiding truth was simple: “One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove nor what kind of house I lived in. It will matter that I was important in the life of a child.”

While in college, Ada met a handsome young man (he added that!), Howard L. James, who offered to share his umbrella during a sudden downpour on their way home from church. After two years of friendship followed by two years of dating, she accepted his proposal, and they were married on August 30, 1968. To their union, a son, Jonathan Eric, was born. Just as in every other aspect of her life, Ada was an exceptional wife and mother, creating a home brimming with love and stability. After Eric married Arneatha and their son, Ethan, was born, Ada stepped into her greatest role yet as “Grandma,” loving and nurturing him as only a grandmother can.

At an early age she gave her life to the Lord and became a member of Pearson Chapel AME Church, in Yanceyville, North Carolina. Later in her life journey Ada became a member of First Calvary Baptist Church Life Center in Sanford, North Carolina.

Ada and Howard lived in Japan from 1972 to 1973, where they were both bitten by the travel bug. Ada loved to travel and was able to keep traveling, with the help of friends, even after her health began to decline. Three of her most memorable trips included a Pacific Northwest road trip with two couple friends (starting in Utah and traveling through Wyoming and Idaho to Seattle, Washington), a trip to Spain with Howard’s cousins, and a journey to Turkey tracing the steps of the Apostle Paul, where she and Howard agreed they had far more fun than Paul ever did. For many years, Ada also enjoyed annual trips to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with her 6th-grade friend, Marvette Pratt, including a final trip together starting on July 18, 2026.

Ada was a remarkable, elegant, gracious, impressive woman who treated everyone she met with dignity and respect. She lived a full, wonderful life, loving deeply and being deeply loved in return. She leaves behind a great void and will be profoundly missed.

In addition to her husband, Howard L. James, and her son, Jonathan Eric James, Ada is survived by her daughter-in-law, Arneatha Gillis James, and her grandson, Ethan Alexander James, all of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by her brother, Jerry Williamson of Yanceyville, NC; her sister, Glenna Graves (Forrest) of Waldorf, MD; two nieces, Renee Joyner (Paul) and Revee Diggs (Everett) of Durham, NC; a nephew, Derrick Von Graves (Cara) and their sons, Blake and Bryce, of Bowie, MD; and four sisters-in-law, Yvonne Archer of Rosedale, MD, Jean Lashley (James) of Boykins, VA, Sheila Porter (Melvin) of Murfreesboro, NC, and Karen Blackwell of Cofield, NC. She leaves behind a legacy of love shared with many extended family members, cousins, and lifelong friends.

A reception for Mrs. Ada Williamson James will be on Thursday, August 06, 2026, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at First Calvary Baptist Church Life Center, 240 Fields Drive, Sanford, NC 27330.

A public viewing for Mrs. Ada Williamson James will be on Friday, August 07, 2026; from 2:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. in the John and Juanita S. Fulton Memorial Chapel of Fulton-Walton Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Yanceyville, NC.

A family visitation viewing for Mrs. Ada Williamson James will be on Saturday, August 08, 2026; from 10:30a.m. to 11:00a.m. at Pearson Chapel AME Church, in Yanceyville, NC.

Funeral service for Mrs. Ada Williamson James will be conducted at 11:00am on Saturday, August 08, 2026; at Pearson Chapel AME Church, in Yanceyville, NC. Dr. Linda Smith will deliver the “Words of Comfort” and Pastor Milton Battle will preside.

Interment will follow at Pearson Chapel AME Church Cemetery in Yanceyville, NC.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Pearson Chapel AME Church, 222 NC-Highway 62 South in Yanceyville, NC 27379, and First Calvary Baptist Church Life Center, 240 Fields Drive in Sanford, NC 27330.

You are invited to attend service for Mrs. Ada Williamson James virtually by clicking the following link:

Mrs. Ada Williamson James (Funeral)

Should Live Streaming not be available due to certain conditions resulting from rural location with little to no Broadband connection, no WIFI signal and or little to no cellular coverage, we will record the services of your loved one in its entirety and post a link where you will be able to partake in the services within 48 hours.

Fulton-Walton Funeral Home 219 Dillard School Dr. Yanceyville, NC (Location).

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