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Dr. E. Lee James
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E. James Obituary
Dr. E. Lee James, 81, of Paducah, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, at his home.
Dr. James was born Dec. 7, 1943, in Ohio County, Kentucky, to Foster James and Corabel Bennett James. His conversion took place at West Point Baptist Church in Matanzas, Kentucky.
He was a 1961 graduate of Centertown High School. He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree from Campbellsville Baptist College in Campbellsville, Kentucky, in 1965 with a Major in Bible and a minor in Sociology-English.
He was ordained into the ministry in May 1966 by the West Point Baptist Church. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Western Kentucky University and Luther Rice Baptist Seminary, and completed a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1988.
Dr. James attended numerous conferences and seminars during his ministry of pastoring ten churches. He was pastor of the Bellview Baptist Church in Paducah, Kentucky, from January 1992 to September 2010 which was his longest pastorate. Dr. James spent a total of 62 years in the ministry. He served as chairman, president, director and moderator for many Baptist groups and found time to be a school teacher.
Dr. James had the opportunity to go on many mission trips to Kenya, preached in Israel and Greece, travel to Jordan, Egypt, Rome, and Holland. He also preached in numerous revivals in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and West Virginia.
Dr. James wrote a personal testimony: "I am a Christian, God-called preacher and a Missionary Southern Baptist. I am glad I am all three, but in the order they are given."
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Georgetta Calloway James; one daughter, LeEtta (Frankie) Edwards of Dixon, Kentucky; one son, Timothy Lee James of Paducah; two brothers, Tommy (Melissa) James of Owensboro, Kentucky and David (Susan) James of Ohio County, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Tyler (Jada) Edwards, Jay Riley (Ashley) Edwards, Logan (Lindsey) Edwards, Laken James and Grace James; nine great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Edwards, Ander Edwards, Jaxon Edwards, Marley Edwards, Oliver Edwards, Jaedan James, Max James, Sykston James and Emberley James; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, Robert Timothy James; one sister, Colleen Ashby; and his parents.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the Bellview Baptist Church. Services will immediately follow at 2 p.m., with Dr. Don Mathis officiating.
Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at the Bell Cemetery in Centertown, Kentucky, in Ohio County, with Rev. Eddie Duke officiating.
Expression of sympathy may be made to Bellview Baptist Church Mission Fund, 4875 Old Mayfield Road, Paducah, KY 42003.
Arrangements made by the Milner & Orr Funeral of Paducah.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Oct
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Funeral services provided by:
Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Bardwell41 US Hwy 51 North, Bardwell, KY 42023
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