James Milton Church was born on November 3, 1943 in Wardtown, Virginia to the late James Edward and Catherine Belle Giddens Church. He departed this life peacefully to enter his eternal resting place on July 3, 2017 after fighting to victory.
James was educated in the Northampton County public schools. He traveled extensively working in different parts of the country and later fell in love and married Mary L. Wilkins, his wife of forty-three years.
James was employed by the Northampton County Public School System and Northampton County Health Department. In addition to working at these locations, he assisted his wife at the Broad Street Laundromat helping and touching the lives of many prior to his medical retirement.
Along the way of life’s journey James accepted the Lord as his savior and affiliated his services alongside his wife, Mary, to Franktown Methodist Church in Franktown, Virginia and Faith Church Ministries in Virginia Beach, VA. James was a true family man who loved his wife, affectionately known as “Murr,” who was his heart and soul for a cumulative of forty-eight years. One of his favorite gospel songs, was “Rough Side of the Mountain” by the late great Rev. F. C. Barnes.
James leaves to cherish precious memories: his beloved wife, Mary L. Church of Hampton, VA; five children, Janet Williams of Gainesville, FL, James Church Jr. (Donita) of Virginia Beach, VA, Mildred L. Church-Evans (Dion), of Norfolk VA, Catherine Church Bennett of Hampton, VA, and Keith L. Church (Sylvia) of Virginia Beach, VA; thirteen grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He always loved to have the presence of David Sheppard Jr. “Chucky” of Hampton, VA, who he loved dearly and who was like a brother to him. With too many relatives to name he loved all his family and his friends. Although he didn't have many words, but he had a smile to brighten a room and full of jokes.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Catherine Bell Giddens Church and James Edward Church; five sisters, Goldie Robinson “Duke,” Irene Bobbie Jean Church, Dorothy Smith “Dot,” Delores Hankerson “Ann,” and Regina Northan “Gina”; and one brother, Angelo Church. James will be greatly missed.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Milton Church, please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
