Mamie Loutisha Gay James

Mrs. Mamie Loutisha Gay James was born on June 7, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the daughter of Aaron Allen Gay, Sr., and Mamie Lee Hicks Gay. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She was called to Glory on Saturday December 21, 2024. She attended St Paul’s AME Church in Jacksonville, FL, St. John’s AME church in Norfolk, VA, and Resurrection Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA. She was a devoted member of First English Lutheran Church in Richmond, Virgina, which was her last earthly liturgical home for over 30 years. Loutisha entered elementary school in the Jacksonville Public School’s System, Jacksonville, Florida, and completed her primary education studies in the Norfolk Public School’s System, Norfolk, Virginia. She was an eager learner. In high school she excelled academically, played saxophone in the marching band and was a class leader. In 1956, Loutisha graduated from Crestwood High School in Norfolk, Virginia. After graduation she studied at Minor Teachers College-Wilson Teachers College, now the University of the District of Columbia, in Washington, D.C., and Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, Virginia. Her continual learning and achievement are reflected in the diversity of her employment experience. She began her career teaching life skills at Montrose School for Girls in Montrose, Maryland, and Janie Porter Barrett School for Girls in Virginia. She worked as a clerk for the United States Postal Service, in accounting for the Virginia Council of Higher Education, the Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Virginia Department of Corrections. She was a realtor for over 20 years and retired with Keller Williams Realty Company. She was a community activist who worked tirelessly to help elect officials to political office at the local, state, and national levels. She cared about people, was always there to help. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, the Richmond REACH Program, which focused on assisting the aging, those less able and military veterans, and Stuart Circle Center dba, Circle Center Adult Day Care. Most important, Loutisha was a Christian. She loved God and believed God loved her. She worshiped faithfully as her health permitted. At First English Lutheran Church, she was a member of the Church Council, Altar Guild, Women’s Group, Congregational Life Committee, Northside Manna Supper Club, Soul Stitchers Ministry, and a former member of the church choir. She assisted in the preparation of meals for the Safe Haven Ministry. Loutisha was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Aaron A. Gay, Jr. (Barbara), Harold Eugene Gay (Ann), and Arthur Frank Gay, Sr.; and a still born son, Romie Moses James Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Lavita Antoinette James, Dr. Marlene Loutisha James, and Jahrrell Earl James; her brother, Willis E. Gay (Doretha), sister-in-law Cynthia Boney Gay; an aunt, Marie Hicks Tanner, an uncle, Henry Johnson, extended family member Letitia Manuel and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Tributes

Mamie Loutisha Gay James

June 7, 1938 - December 21, 2024