James Richard Grady Jr.

James Richard Grady, Jr. was born on July 5, 1962 to James and Selena Grady of Washington, D.C. The first of five children, four boys and one girl.

He was known to all as “Little”, beloved by his family, friends and all neighborhood children. Little was always the smallest person with the biggest heart. He possessed a spirit that always made people notice and recognize him. Never could he stay still or slow down, always moving from one place to another. Determined to live and lead a normal life he fought his battle with sickle cell anemia like a true “Buffalo Soldier”. A soldier he was too have surpassed all the medical odds against him. He fought for his life, all his life without wanting to place the burden or concern on anyone. The kind of person who enjoyed life to the fullest. “LiL” James was like that.

He attended D.C. Public Schools until his family moved to Fort Washington, MD. He attended and graduated with honors from Gwen Park Senior High in June, 1980. He later attended PG Community College and Bladensburg Barbering School. For many years he worked as a carpenter and plumber assistant in the Washington, DC area. James was well known as the family and neighborhood barber. He was very artistic in designing jewelry and wood carvings. He was an active participant and volunteer at Howard University Hospital, Sickle Cell Anemia Association of Washington, DC and New York City. His dedication and commitment to fighting and curing the sickle cell disease earned him many awards from the National Institute of Health for his long term participation in research and development studies.

James married Renee’ Nicole Chapman on January 7, 1998. From this union a son, Jah’ LiL Kye U was born.

During his life time, James has lived in numerous states to include New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia.

James loved his family and his reggae music, especially Bob Marley.

He is survived by his wife, Renee’; Son, Jah’ LiL; four stepchildren, Tameka Nicole, Princess Nayanza, Titus Emmanuel and Sterling Timothy all of Suffolk, VA.; parents, James and Selena Grady; three brothers, Lawrence, Alphonza and Johnathan; one sister, Angela; God-brother, Sheldon; God-sister, Kidada; father-in-law, Bobby Leroy Chapman; mother-in-law, Minnie E. Greene; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Chapman and Lillith Chapman; brothers-in-law, Johnathan Greene and Jason Greene; eight aunts; six uncles; eight great aunts; two great uncles and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and close friends.

Viewing on Friday, August 15, 2003 at 12:00 none Service at 2:00 p.m. at Thornton Funeral Home 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD. Service Entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, PA.