James
WAYCROSS — Mrs. Bessie Brookins James, 84, of Waycross, died Sunday morning, February 15, 2026, at Harborview Satilla in Waycross after an extended illness.
She was born in Baxley to the late Willie Brookins and Bessie Mae Wadley Brookins. Mrs. James moved to Waycross in January, 1953 when she was 11 years old.
She retired from Wacona Elementary School where she worked as the school custodian for close to 40 years. She was a member of the Church of Christ Written in Heaven in Waycross. An accomplished musician, with a great voice, Mrs. James loved to sing, lead praise and worship, and play the drums and guitar.
Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Thenopolis Couni James; her grandson, Eddie Jamarlon Cooper; and numerous brothers and sisters.
Mrs. James is survived by three children, Eddie Cooper of Waycross, Anthony James of Waycross, and Michele Taylor and her husband, Corinthian; three grandchildren, Sean Cooper and his wife, Leola, Maquetta Morris and her husband, Antonio, and Melissa Jones and her husband, Marlon; eight great grandchildren, Qwantavious Cooper, Zion Word Williams, Zipporah Hagan, Marlo Jones, Jalyne Cooper, Jadia Cooper, Zillah Morris, and Jamari Cooper; one sister, Ruby McPhaul of Douglas; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A funeral service was held February 21 at Word of Faith Christian Center. Burial followed in Hazzard Hill Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome. com.
