Viva la Vida

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These side-by-side images show the striking similarities between Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic 1963 March on Washington and the 2020 March on Washington led by his son and Rev. Al Sharpton on Friday.

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James Edward Weathers, Sr., was born January 28, 1920, in Walnut Grove, Mississippi to Gene Weathers and Reaby (Fortune) Weathers. James was the second oldest of eleven children and the firstborn son. James came from a family that was highly recognized in the community. The Fortunes, Weathers, Thames, Striblings, Peavy’s, Hunt’s and a few others, were all large families who created a wholesome close-knit community in Walnut Grove which remains the same to this day.

As a child and teenager, James assisted his father and siblings in farming and caring for the 160-acre property the family owned. Gene Weathers was a prominent member of the community, an entrepreneur, and a strong role model to his children, encouraging his children to become entrepreneurs and to seek higher education and training. James was baptized at an early age at True Light Baptist Church and in every prayer “thanked God and asked God for his tender mercy.”

James was drafted and left for the army during World War II where he maintained a strong spirit of pride and excellence, even in a segregated Army. In the Army, he became a High Missions driver transporting troops and supplies to various unit operations. Dodging bombs and bullets on most missions, he continued to pray for God’s tender mercy and successfully completed every task he was given. He was rewarded by being promoted to drive several generals. He always rode with a smile and a laugh, and he would often talk about how he went from peeling potatoes on the RMS Queen Elizabeth on his way to England, to staying in châteaus and palaces in France. When Germany surrendered, James was transferred to the Pacific Theater. While en route to a U.S. Army base in the Philippines, the bombs were dropped and instead of continuing on to Japan James spent some time in the Philippines on R&R.

After the end of the war and his return from Asia, his sister Gladys introduced him to one of her classmates, Effie Jean Nollie. As schools were still segregated at the time Gladys and Effie attended Jackson State University, an HBCU. He was smitten by Effie and began courting her. James and Effie soon married and moved to Detroit in 1952 as part of the Great Migration of millions of people who left the rural South in search of jobs in the industrial North. They moved in with family on the East side of Detroit, found jobs and soon started a family of their own. In July of 1953, their daughter Terrie Lynn arrived, and shortly after in May of 1954, their son James Jr. was born. The success and well-being of his family was his greatest passion, and he did whatever necessary to support both Effie, Terrie and James Jr. in pursuit of their academic and professional goals.

James began working at the Packard Auto Plant and took on several part-time jobs until he transferred to Chrysler’s Trenton Engine facility where he worked for more than 25 years as a union representative and steward until his retirement. During his tenure at Chrysler, he turned down several offers to join management but was frequently sought out by co-workers to obtain his advice and resolve disputes.

James’ experience with being raised in the segregated south, serving in a segregated army, coupled with his deep concern for the welfare of others and his faith in God, motivated him to become deeply involved in the fight for human and civil rights during the 60s and 70s, not only in the Chrysler plant but in the Detroit community. Under the leadership of Rev. C.L. Franklin, the Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, he became active in the Civil Rights Movement, helped to plan Detroit’s Walk To Freedom, marched alongside Rev. Franklin, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and supported the work of the NAACP and many other human rights organizations through faith-based rallies and other advocacy efforts. 

James was appointed to be a Trustee by Rev. Franklin, and as a trustee, he became a part of the excellent leadership team of men and women who helped contribute to the national and international recognition of New Bethel Baptist Church through Rev. Franklin and his current predecessor, Rev. Robert Smith, Jr.

James was also the longest-serving Treasurer in New Bethel’s history and took great pride in the fiscal integrity of the church’s revenue, his cost control approaches and the church’s financial strength. The church became his second home, and for more than three decades he attended every meeting, most events and nearly every funeral held at the church. James also attended over 20 National Baptist Conventions until his health began to decline.

Upon his retirement, he helped to create the family businesses, TWW & Associates and the AngelLand Child and Parent Centers (education and workforce development). He was a member of the AngelLand Board of Directors and assisted in the afterschool program component. His retirement also provided him the opportunity to dedicate his time to a second passion, “God’s Work and New Bethel Baptist Church.” He was always politically active and concerned about Detroit’s future.

The last project James worked on before his death was a community enhancement project for the city of Walnut Grove, Mississippi, and the True Light Baptist Church. The Weathers family donated land to create a community park which will include a memorial garden, that will be dedicated at the August 2016 family reunion.

James was the patriarch of the Weathers family. James always said at family meetings, reunions and repeatedly to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, that we must know our history, be able to disagree respectfully, show honor to one another, but most importantly, “pray together to stay together.”

#Faith. #Family. #Foundation.