Ada Harper James

1930 - 2025

Ada Harper James

November 27, 1930 - December 12, 2024

Columbia, South Carolina - Mrs. Ada Harper James was born on November 27, 1930, to Lillian Martin and Robert E. Harper, in Jenkinsville, South Carolina. She passed on to meet Jesus Christ face-to-face on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

Mrs. James earned a B. A. degree from Allen University in Columbia, SC. She retired from two careers, first as a paralegal from the Small Business Administration (SBA), and then as secretary and office manager for the judicial chamber of the Honorable L. Casey Manning. She received many recognitions over the years, including being named the SBA National Employee of the Year, being awarded two keys to the city, and having Courtroom 2B in the Richland County Courthouse named in her honor.

Mrs. James, an ice cream connoisseur, and museum fan, loved to shop and spend time with family and friends. She was quite facile with Instacart, Uber, and her Apple Watch. She was a devout Christian and served in many capacities as a member of Bishop's Memorial Church in Columbia, SC, as long as her health permitted. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Welcoming her into the heavenly kingdom are her parents, a brother, Robert C. Harper, and a sister, Princetta E. Harper.

Mrs. James will be missed by her daughters, Sandra (Willie) Lawrence of Leawood, KS, Brenda Morrison of Wheaton, Illinois, and Linda Nichols of Rockville, MD; her devoted sisters Lillian Virginia Carter, Deloris Goggins and Dorothy Williams; her sister-in-law Cora Baten Harper; her grandchildren, who lovingly called her "Eda", Joel Morrison, Samara (Sam) Birer, Xavier Lawrence, Ryann Morrison, Patrick Nichols, Westbrook Lawrence and MacKenzie Lawrence; two great grandchildren, Naomi Birer and "Bingo" Birer; a daughter-in-love, Karen Smith, and countless family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that you might make donations to Cooperative Ministries, in Columbia, SC.