Ellie "James" Stallworth

Love Lou and Moses Stallworth, Sr. of Pine Apple, Alabama were blessed with 13 children. Ellie James Stallworth, affectionately known as “King James” the tenth of those children was born on August 12, 1937. He grew up in a vibrant Christian home filled with love. He and his siblings were instilled with a strong work ethic at an early age as they worked the family farm gardening and raising farm animals for their large family.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age at the Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church in Pine Apple, Alabama. He completed his early education in a one room school house in Wilcox County, Alabama where he excelled in math and science. He also had a passion for reading. As a teenager, he drove the school bus along with his father, played saxophone in the school band and graduated from high school as Class Valedictorian in 1957.

After high school, he relocated to Michigan for a short time and worked as a fruit picker before settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. Once in Cincinnati, James began working as a night porter at the Federal Reserve Bank. He worked from 6:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. while studying Accounting during the day and furthered his education by also earning a certificate in electrical wiring. In 1957 shortly after arriving in Cincinnati, he joined the Beulah Baptist Church where Rev. D.S. Glenn was pastor and faithfully served for 49 years in various ministries including the Deacon Board and Trustee Board as Chairman, Sunday School Superintendent and Sunday School Teacher. He was also a member of the City-wide Deacons where he mentored upcoming Deacons and taught them how to serve in the house of the Lord. James loved all kinds of music, especially gospel. He had a beautiful tenor voice that could always be heard singing around the house, in the choir or leading devotion on Sunday mornings. He was never one to complain and would always sing his two favorite songs: “Pray On My Child” and “Well Done” to any and every-one, no matter the situation or circumstance. James was a praying man and could be found on his knees talking to the Lord first thing in the morning and before his closed his eyes to sleep at night. In 2006, he became a member of First Baptist West College Hill under the pastorate of Rev. Charles King, Jr. where he continued to serve as a part of the Finance Committee and Deacon Board until the Lord called him home.

While working at the Federal Reserve Bank, he was introduced to Caroline Hunter, affectionately known as Callie, by his cousin, Glenn and her sister, Shirley McCrackin in 1959. She was the love of his life and he made her his Queen when they became united in marriage on November 12, 1960. James left the Federal Reserve Bank after 11 years and began working in the Printing Department of the A.B. Dick Printing Company. Always seeking to be his best, he later became a production worker at Cedar Hill Dairy and a truck driver delivering bread for Rainbow Bakery. In 1973, he was hired by the Procter and Gamble Company as a production worker at the Ivorydale Plant after going weekly to meet with the personnel director to check on his application. They became so accustomed with him coming regularly to sit and talk that when he received the call for employment, he was told you already work here, we’re just making it official. He worked in production for several years before being recognized for his proficiency as an electrician and was promoted and trained as a pipefitter. He was a stellar employee known for his remarkable work ethic and retired in 1995 after 22 years. In 1996, he returned to school at Queen City Vocational where he earned a certificate in brick laying and general contracting.

In May of 1964, James and Callie were blessed with the first of their four children, Cassandra Lynn. Their second daughter, Katrina LaSha followed in December 1966, and their only son, Reginald Jevon was born in September 1971. James was a man’s man protecting his family fiercely and providing tirelessly. With his family expanding, James decided to use his handyman skills to open his own business that he named Imaginary Home Improvement…If You Can Imagine It We Can Do It. He spent several years remodeling and repairing homes all around the city, working on weekends and between shifts at Procter and Gamble. He was known as a man of integrity and people knew they could count on him to be honest, fair, and to do their work right the first time. The year 1981 brought a surprise addition to the family in September when their third daughter, Krisshawnda Lenai was born.

James had a passion for travel and took his family on vacations regularly. He also dabbled in photography and began traveling the world in 1985 when he and his wife ventured to the Holy Land. They took numerous trips to multiple places to see the world and make the kind of memories that last a lifetime.

King James had a vibrant personality that impacted many lives. He was filled with wisdom, known for his sense of humor, storytelling, joking, and love of life and family. He could be counted on for encouragement, loving yet stern correction, and helping others in any way he could. His smile and laughter were contagious, and he exemplified a true man of strength and character. He walked in integrity as a man of God, a faithful husband, and the consummate father. James transitioned from this life to his heavenly resting place on October 31, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters (Orlean, Mattie, Gertrude) and five brothers (Walter, David, John D. Baby Boy, Moses).

He leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife of 59 years, Queen Caroline; loving children, Cassandra (Steve), Katrina (Wayne), Reginald (Amanda) and Krisshawnda; seven wonderful grandchildren, Jordan, Evan, Jarred, Shayla, Ben, Zuri and Charlotte; four sisters, Ruth, Barnette, Irene and Love; seven sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Until We Meet Again.

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