Ironically enough, January 22nd is National Celebration of Life Day. On a Wednesday in 1947, Ann Y. James was born to Joseph James, Sr. and Willie Mae Brown, in West Blocton, AL, what jubilation must have ensued. The fifth born of nine children, she readily claimed her position as the second girl after three boys. Five, the spiritual number for Grace, is exactly how she moved in life…with grace.

At the age of sixteen, she moved to Boston, MA with her aunt, the late, Rosie M. Davis and worked with her in private duty work for a Boston Agency. She later relocated to Jamaica Plain, MA, where she lived and raised her family. She remained a lifelong resident of JP.

She was the proud mother and fierce protector of her four children and her grandchildren. She was supportive and determined to see each of them be the best that they could be. She carried that same joy and passion over to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She delighted in their presence. She loved people and she loved laughter, no wonder that the holidays were times for her to showcase her cooking skills, joy in decorating, and a time to spend with friends that had become a loyal part of her life. She was the hostess personified.

To say that Ann loved people is an understatement. She was an advocate for the needs of those who lived in her community. This propelled her to lobby for a position on the Tenant Management Council's Board; a Bromley Heath Tenant management organization, which advocated for the rights of the tenants in that community. She held that position for a number of years. Her career was multifaceted. She was a Residential Counselor at Vinfen Corporation, a lunch mother and a bus monitor, as well as a babysitter for her great nieces. Ann was a faithful choir member and a soloist. Her church membership was at New Hope Baptist church, but later moved to Lilly of the Valley, Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan, MA

Ann was preceded in death by her oldest child, Anthony D'Angelo James, and her long-term partner and lifelong friend, John Bland. Also, preceding her in death were her brothers, William Wallace James, Sr., Joseph James, Jr., and sister Mary Frances Poole.

Mourning her loss are her sons Bryant O'Neal James (Kimberly); Michael Steven James, and her daughter Shauna Rochelle James; all of Boston, MA. Her brothers and sisters: Hasan Muhammad (Delores) of Lincoln, NB; Glory J. Hill (Sammie Lee) of West Blocton, AL; Paul R. James (Audrey) of Washington, D.C; Ralph D. James and Angela D. James, both of Birmingham, AL. She also shared four bonus children with her long-term partner: Barbara Bland, Nate Bland, Wanda Bland and Richard Bland. She leaves 18 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and two great- great grandchildren; a special niece, Stephanie Poole-Sims (Robert Sr.); and two special great nieces Ronasia and Raniah Perry; one living paternal aunt, Evelyn J. Tannehill; and a congregation of other nieces, nephews, cousins through generations and friends, too numerous to name them all.