Rodney James

It is with sympathy, the management and staff of Slater’s Funeral Home, Inc. announce the passing of Mr. Rodney James, of Milledgeville, Georgia. Mr. James passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of All Faiths, Milledgeville, Georgia. Interment followed in the Scenic Memorial Gardens, Milledgeville, Georgia.

God saw the road was getting rough, the hills were getting hard to climb. He gently closed his beautiful eyes and whispered, “may the work I've done speak for me”. On Friday, February 11, 2022, Rodney James departed this life and entered his heavenly home, while surrounded by his faithful wife and family. He was born December 5, 1970, to the parentage of the late Earnest James, Sr. and Laconia James of Milledgeville, GA. He attended Baldwin County Public School System where he graduated from Baldwin High School with the Class of 1989. After high school he began working with the department of Corrections and was a dedicated employee until he retired after 30 years of service as a Transfer Sergeant for Baldwin State Prison. He was presently working with Gulfeagles Supply. Rodney was also, the co-owner of James and Sons Tree Service Company. Rodney worked hard to provide for his family and was known as a soft spoken and reliable man. Rodney met and began dating the love of his life, Celena Hightower, in 1995. They were married in August of 2003 and have been together ever since. Rodney enjoyed spending quality time with his family, especially his three children. At any given time, you can find him practicing softball with his “Boo” Tamia, having man to man talks with Jarvis or playing basketball with Rodarius. He was admired by his nieces and nephews and was well respected by his close friends (Brown's Crossing Crew and co-workers at the Department of Corrections). He will be truly missed. Rodney was preceded in death by his father, Earnest James Sr., sisters, Elizabeth Clark and Rose Mary Williams. He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife, Celena James; loving mother, Laconia James; children, Jarvis Havior, Tamia James and Rodarius James; grandchildren, Kingston Havior, McKenzie Havior, and Keilan Havior, all of Milledgeville, GA; sisters, Barbara Williams, of Milledgeville, GA, Denise (Timothy) Holt, of Lizella, GA, Sabrina (James) Finney of Milledgeville, GA, Carolyn Hall and Greta James, both of Milledgeville, GA; brothers, Earnest James, Jr., of Milledgeville, GA, Ozie Eugene James, Sr., of Milledgeville, GA, Alvin (Consta) James, of Macon, Ricky (Donna) James, of Macon, Greg (Rhonda) James, of Milledgeville, GA; two aunts, Mattie Reaves of Millersville, GA, and Ethel Mae Jordan of Pittsburgh, PA; uncle, Albert James of Pittsburgh, PA; mother-in-law, Ola Bell Hightower; father-in-law, Bobby Hightower, Sr.; brothers-in-law, Marcello Hurt, and Bobby Hightower, Jr.; sister-in-law, April Hightower; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Special recognition to his “Brown Crossing Crew”.

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