It is with profound sorrow that the James, Gbarbea, Gaye-Cooper, Clarke, Badio, Grebo-Harris families and Margbor descendants of Grand Bassa County announce the homegoing of our beloved matriarch, Mother Edna Earl James—a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She peacefully gained her wings on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Deptford, New Jersey.
Her Legacy of Love
Mother James was born on May 12, 1937 in Kakata, Liberia. She lived a life of service, faith, and leadership, touching countless lives with her kindness, wisdom, and strength.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Gradia Melrose Gbarbea, Leemu Gbarbea, Mayeadeh Gaye, Roseline Clarke, Henry James, Arthur James, Yatta Gaye-Biancolin ,William Ross and several other children; her brothers Edward James and Henry James; grandchildren Nuwoo Pope, Elma “PJ” Garway, Mameni Edna Rose Gbarbea, Sayda Colavita, Sean Thomas, Charles Kowou, and Ava Moore; great-grandchildren Michael Pope III, Adrian Colavita, Calliope Colavita, Eulalee-Charity Avaan, Euli-Power Msughter Avaan, and Carmelo Colavita; along with the United Methodist Church family and a host of relatives and friends worldwide.
She was preceded in death by her parents Mardea Kemah Harris and Jacob James, her son Twagley Gbarbea, her daughter Nuwoo Gbarbea, her sisters Hawa Badio, Musu Rose Jallah, Lydia Simpson, her brother Joshua “Peewee” James, and many other loved ones.
Education
- St. Teresa’s Convent High School, Monrovia, Liberia 1959
- Laboratory High, University of Liberia – Summa Cum Laude, Class of 1970
- Pitman School of Secretarial Science, London, England (1971–73)
- In-Service Training & Leadership Development – Gregg Secretarial School, Monrovia
Professional and Community Service
Mother James dedicated over three decades of her career to the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (1961–1990’s– the start of the Liberian civil war). She served as Director of the Movie Film Census Board and proudly represented Liberia at FESTAC ’77 in Lagos, Nigeria under the direction of her supervisors, Hon. Bai. T. Moore, Deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs and Tourism and Dr, Edward B, Kesseley Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Liberia at the time.
When Rev,.Dr. Bennie D. Warner, Bishop of the Liberian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church became Vice President of the Republic, her family member, Mother James and other community leaders and descendants of the Mamba region of Montserrado County held over a week-long celebration in Vice President Warner’s honour.
Post war Liberia, Mother James and her family established the Mardea Kaemah Elementary & Junior High School and Community Outreach Center named in memory of her late mother, who had no formal education but valued its importance and made immense sacrifices to ensure her children and others in the township got educated. Mother Edna Earl James following the values of her mother initiated the school and community outreach and adult learning center in the early 2000’s in her hometown of Glebo Harris Township, Lower Careysburg.At it initial onset, Mother Edna E, James ensured that this tuition-free and family privately funded school, provided educational, life and social skills.such as crafts making, sewing, soap making, tyedying, basic agricultural/farming among other services for the students. The Mardea Kaemah Center included an adult literacy program, monthly movie night for the community, weekly feeding programs for the students.
The school, which was later turned over to the government continues to serve an adverage of over 300 students in the Lower Careysburg region today. Most recently, it was her desired to return to Liberia and work witth her church and community. She desired to extend the school to a vocational high school to help address the needs of the disadvantaged youths in the area.
She was also a proud member of the Liberia National Girl’s Guide Association, representing Liberia in Ghana in the the late Fiftes and at the Diamond Jubilee of the World Federation of Girls Guides and Girls Scouts in London in 1971 where she and others from around the world dined with Queen Elizabeth, the Grand Patron
Her outstanding service earned her recognition, including a New York State Proclamation for lifetime achievement and community impact in 2012 by Senator Neil Breslin.
Church Life
A devoted Christian, Mother James was deeply rooted in the United Methodist Church:
- Blacktom UMC, Lower Careysburg – Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent, Administrative Chair
- Monrovia District United Methodist Women – Vice President & later President.
She traveled widely for church conferences across Sierra Leone, Ghana, and South Africa.
Mother was honored as Mother of the Year by the United Methodist Church and served as Lifetime Mother and Grand Matriarch of the Blacktom United Methodist Church, Lower Careysburg. The Albany United Methodist Women of the erstwhile Troy Annual Conference of theUnited Methodisr Church of Upstate New York also honored her for work in educational outreach. The Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia had previously recognized her work and outreach in Lliberia.
Celebration of Life
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 – 8:00 a.m.
Venue: Trinity United Methodist Church, 351 North Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312
Interment: Manahath Cemetery, 730 N. Main Street, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Contributions
Donations may be sent to Beyan G. Kesselly – (215) 704-1606 – Bank of America
Contacts
- Rev. Titus Clarke – (717) 601-9977
- Gradia Melrose Gbarbea – (518) 364-5453
- Leemu Gbarbea – (240) 498-9369
- Mayeadeh Gaye – (856) 366-8225
- Oscar Badio – +231 88 684 8592
- Warnerlyn R. Warner – (916)271-4048
- Dr. Edwin Kaliku, – (518)-330-1027
- Rev. Nellie Wright -+231-8865-89308
- Christiana Harmon +231 777 514754
Hotel Accommodations
- Courtyard by Marriott Glassboro Rowan University – Room block (Oct. 18–20). Rate: $249/night. Last day to book: Oct. 10, 2025.
- DoubleTree Cherry Hill – Room block (Oct. 16–20). Final pricing and booking link TBD.
Sunrise: May 12, 1937
Sunset: September 18, 2025
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Her children arise up and call her blessed. (Proverbs 31)
It is with deep sorrow that the James, Margbor descendants, Gbarbea, Gaye-Cooper, and Clarke families announce the passing of our matriarch, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister, and cousin.
Mother James gained her wings on Thursday, September 18, 2025 in Deptford, New Jersey, USA.
She was welcomed into eternity by her parents, Mardea Kemah James Harris and Jacob James.
Left to embrace her memories are her children; Gradia Melrose Gbarbea (Mameni Gbarbea), Nuwoo Gbarbea-Dunlap-predeceased (Nuwoo Dunlap-Pope: Michael III, Saydah Dunlap Colavita: Adrian, Calliope, Carmelo), Leemu B. Gbarbea (Elma “PJ” Garway: Eulalee, Euli, Sean Thomas), Mayeadeh P. Gaye (Charles Kowou, Ava Moore); Roseline Clarke, Henry James, Arthur James, and Bensideh Gaye Cooper-predeceased. Siblings: Edward James, Henry James, Predeceased: Joshua “Pewee” James, Hawa Massalley Badio, Rose Massalley Jallah, and Lydia Simpson; and a host of other relatives and friends.
May the soul of our dearest mother rest in perfect peace.
*Celebration of Life*
*Family Viewing*
Friday: October 17, 2025
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Exodus Funeral Chapel
1740 Greenwood Avenue
Hamilton Township, NJ 08609
*Funeral Services*
Saturday: October 18, 2025
Viewing/Tributes
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Service:
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Trinity United Methodist Church
351 North Delsea Drive
Clayton, NJ 08312
Interment:
Manahath Cemetery
730 N Main Street
Glassboro, NJ 08028
**Contacts**
Gradia Gbarbea (518) 364-5453
Leemu Gbarbea (240) 498-9369
Mayeadeh Gaye (856) 366-8225
Rev. Titus Clarke (443) 761-9652
Oscar Badio +231 886 848592
Warnerlyn Warner (916) 271-4048
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