DEXTER - Ross B. James, 85, died June 20, 2004, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center.
Born June 19, 1918, at Jasper, Ark., son of the late Chester A. and Walice Rutledge James, he was a member of the Essex First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for the past 54 years, and was a self-employed farmer.
His wife, Elsie M. Dozier, survives of the home.
Other survivors include: three sons, Stephen James of Fredericktown, Tom James of Dexter and John James of Montgomery City; one daughter, Judi Boyle of Dexter; two brothers, Lawton James of Dexter and Dorwin James of Desloge; one sister, Wanda Mahan of Jackson, Mich.; and 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Four sisters, Doris Wren, Ethelyn James, Billie Dale and Aral Reynolds, preceded him in death.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, where services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Revs. O.H. Brooks and Gary Gilbert will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.