Celebration of Life Program for Sandra K. James "Cookie"

Musical Prelude.......................................................................................................Luther Chambers Opening Selection..............................................................................................GBC Music Ministry Scripture Reading

Old Testament............................................................................................................Minister

New Testament...........................................................................................................Minister Prayer of Comfort.................................................................................................................Minister Reflections...................................................................................................................Sherita Brown Dion Martin Pastor Samuel L. Green III Silent Reading of the Obituary Photo Montage Acknowledgements......................................................................................................Linda P. Travis Musical Selection.............................................................................................................Tracy Colon Eulogy............................................................................................................Pastor Dwight Riddick Recessional..........................................................................................................Family, and Friends

On Tuesday, January 19, 2021, Sandra Kaye James (Cookie), loving mother of five children, passed away at age 56.

Sandra was born on October 10, 1964 in Newport News, Virginia to Wesley and Shirley (Taylor) James. She was educated in the Newport News Public School System and graduated from Warwick High School in 1983. Sandra was a hard worker, and she worked various jobs throughout her young life. One of the last places she worked was Hampton University.

Sandra had a passion for singing and dancing. She was known for her quick wit, fun nature, and her kind and compassionate spirit. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met. She was known for being the life of the party. Everywhere she went, she found someone whom she knew. When she saw you, she lit up and she showed her love, especially with children. If she could, she went out of her way to help people.

Most importantly, she left an impression on

people – every person who knew Sandra could share

a hilarious story about a time they were around her.

Sandra had a ritual for spending time in the kitchen

creating delicious meals for her family. She shared

her passionate love affair for cooking food such as

homemade fries, baked ziti, chicken salad, fried

chicken, lasagna, and coming up with new

recipes. With Sandra, you could be

sure to leave with a full belly of a home-cooked meal.

Until the COVID pandemic made it impossible, Sandra was an active member of Gethsemane Baptist Church. She loved praising the Lord, and spreading the gospel in songs. Her favorite song was by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, “My Help Cometh from the Lord.”

Sandra was preceded in death by her father and sisters Wendella James, Sheila Banks, and Ramona Wilson. She is survived by her mother and siblings Anita James, Marguerite Dawes (Willie), Anthony James (Malika), Carl James (Linetta), life-long partner Jasper Floyd, her five children, Xavier (LaRonda), Okema (Michael), Shkemea (Quadaja), La’Vonte, and Akeme (Michelle), her beloved grandchildren Arieana, MaKiylah, Jay’Ceon, Kendrick, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

All whom loved her dearly will never forget her tenacity, wit, charm, and undying love.

She will be sorely missed.

Family and Friends

Family and Friends

Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that once we shared Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone.

It’s all part of the master plan A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know.

Laugh at all the things we used to do Miss me, but let me go.

In this hour of sadness, we wish to acknowledge with our sincerest gratitude, the outpouring of love, sympathy and prayers we have received from our many friends, neighbors and church family. God bless all of you. ~The James Family