Henry, Jr., James Robert aka "Brother Henry" and "Big Jim"

[Guest Nicole]

Henry, Jr., James Robert aka "Brother Henry" and "Big Jim", - 91, of Pleasantville, passed away at home, surrounded by family and close friends on Thursday ~ March 2nd, 2017, after an extended illness. James was born on February 5th, 1926 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to the late James Robert Henry, Sr. and Catherine Virginia Louis. After meeting Mary Mobley in grade school, James said that she was the first Jehovah's Witness that he had ever met. She made such an impression on him that in 1962 he was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses at The President Hotel in Atlantic City after studying with Bro. Hillary and Bro. Nickerson. Because of his deep love for God and people, James wholeheartedly served in various capacities of the ministry. He remained faithful up until his death, sharing Bible truths to all who would listen. He taught the Bible to many and had many Bible studies. He served faithfully as an Elder in the Atlantic City Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. In July of 1982, he married his love, DeVeria Harris Stroud. This is something that he had promised to do when he saw her at the Stanley Home Village in her stroller. He told her mother Lossie, "that's a pretty baby, when I grow up I'm going to marry her" and he did! We all know that James was a very hard worker, and after his Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy, he went to work for Mutual Taxi. After that, he entered his family's landscaping business in the 50's and 60's. It's noteworthy that his Father, James Robert Henry, Sr., was the first African American Landscaper in Atlantic City. Eventually, he took employment at Nelbud Services Group, Inc. in Egg Harbor City, NJ where he remained for 26 years. He retired, along with the owner of the company, on March 12th, 2015 at the ripe old age of 89. Jim's hobbies included: Doll house making, Gardening, Word Searches, Jeopardy, watching the Olympics and other sports, driving with his wife every day to Ocean City, and other places, to "people- watch" and "house-watch", going out to eat and telling jokes. He is predeceased by his Parents, his daughter Lavern (Bootsie) Leslie, his siblings: Lillie Bell Henry, Agnes Regina Henry, Rosemarie Henry, Lewis Grant Henry, Charles Augustine Henry and William (Billy) Argyle Henry. He is survived by: his loving Wife, DeVeria Lee Henry; his loving Children, James Robert Henry III (Sabrina), Clifford Henry, Rosemarie Henry (Rich), and Monica Johnson (Jesse); his 14 Grandchildren; his 19 Great-Grandchildren; his Good Friend of mutual Trust & Respect, Mikal Abdullah; a select group of very Special Friends - who made his later years so much more comfortable; and a host of other loving family members and friends. He will truly be missed. He has left our family a lifetime of good memories and good jokes. And if we didn't know anything, we know he loved us. Jehovah is going to end all pain, suffering and death and bring back our Jim in the resurrection. So for those of you who have shared in our grief, please join us in our joy when Jehovah brings back a healthy perfect Jim. Thank you all for your love and concern during this whole journey. We couldn't have gotten through it without you. May Jehovah bless each and every one of you. We love you, affectionately the Henry's and Johnson's. Revelation 21: 3&4 Services will be held Friday ~ March 10th, 2017 @ 1:30 pm at the Atlantic City Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses. For further info, please call Mikal's Funeral Parlor, LLC (609-344-1131).

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/obituaries/henry-jr-james-robert-aka-brother-henry-and-big-jim/article_a8881304-66e1-5332-9ef8-b558265f4acb.html