James Lane

God called James Lane home to rest on April 14, 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

James was born in Sumter, South Carolina on April 27, 1929 to Joseph Lane and Adelaide Copeland.

After losing his mother at an early age, James lived with his father and then later with different family members, including his Paternal Grandmother, Janie Lane, and later his Aunt Sue (father’s sister) and her husband Uncle Ben Dargan. He later moved to Boston with his sister Rosa Lee and her husband Bennie Davis.

After moving back to Sumter, South Carolina, James met and married Bessie Cleckley in 1948. From this union one child, James Lane Jr. was born.

After moving back to Boston, he enlisted in the United States Army in February, 1951. He served in the Korean War until February, 1953. When he returned from the Korean War, he transferred to the Army Reserves and worked at many companies, such as: The American Biltrite Company, The BF Goodrich Company, Century Cleaners, and GTE (now called General Dynamics). After retirement from GTE, James became a van driver for Dearborn Academy, where he drove for over 12 years.

Also, sometime after moving back to Boston, he met Mary White. From this union, Brian White and Robert White were born.

In 1964, James married Dorothy Graham. From this union one child, Patricia Lane was born.

During the 1970’s, James became a Mason, starting at the George Washington Carver Lodge, and later, Hiram Lodge, #14 where he was a faithful member.

In 1987, he joined Eliot Congregational Church, where he was a member for many years.

In 1998, James married Katie Thompson. From this union, he gained two step-sons, Ritchie Nelson and Bruce Thompson.

In 2015, he became an active member of New Hope Baptist Church. Until his health failed him, he enjoyed serving as a greeter and participating in the men’s fellowship, senior outings, Wednesday prayer and the annual church picnics. He loved his pastor and church family.

He loved to socialize and would have long conversations with anyone who would listen. He loved his family, his extended family, and his friends. He would never pass up an opportunity to participate in all events involving family and friends. We will never forget his smile.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Adelaide Copeland, his step-mother, Viola Lane, his sister and brother-in-law, Rosa Lee and Bennie Davis, his sister, Annette De Windt, his son, James Lane Jr., and his step-son, Ritchie Nelson.

James is survived by his wife Katie Thompson Lane of Boston MA, his children, Brian White of Virginia Beach, VA, Robert White of Boise, ID, Patricia (Judd) Hill of Norwood, MA, his step-son, Bruce Thompson of Boston, MA, one sister, Lorraine Claybourne of Stockbridge, GA. He is also survived by four brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, ten grandchildren, some great-grandchildren, lots of nieces and nephews, and many relatives and friends.

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