Mattie James

Mother Mattie Lou Lillian Frierson James, age 97, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, departed this life and went to rest on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020 at 11AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Quinton Eric James officiating.  Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. Her body will also lie in state on Friday from 10-11AM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mother James was born to the late Mr. James Rufus Frierson and the late Harriet Ann Bettye Frierson on November 15, 1923 in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee. She attended Maury County Schools.

Mother James was a member of St. Ruth United Primitive Baptist Church where the Elder Richard James is her Pastor.  Mother James was a very active Usher for many years and became a Mother in the Church where she served faithfully until her health failed her.

Mother James was very active in the community feeding those in need and assisting in raising her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Rufus Frierson and her mother Harriet Ann Bettye Frierson.  She was also preceded in death by her spouse of fifty six years Leonard James, Sr. and two daughters, Dorothy Delores Downey and Lydia Arms, and one grandson Gregory James.

Mother James loved her family. She leaves to cherish her memories her devoted children: Leonard (Nadine) James, Jr. of Columbia, TN, Garia (Henton) Morton of Durham, NC, Richard (Barbara) James of Columbia, TN, Sandra (Michael) Richardson of Mt. Pleasant, TN; brother Haywood (Margaret) Jones of Nashville, TN and Charles Jones of Louisville, KY; seventeen grandchildren: Melvin James, Cara Crawford, Trina Morgan, LaDonna Damren, LaDell Morton, Kim Morton, Cheryl Morton, Pamela James, Eric James, Darnell James, Adavin James, La Tonia Cathey, NaTisha Arms, LaQuaya Currie, Dr. Tera Kirkman, Felita Martin, and William Frierson; forty-three great grandchildren; devoted friends Charlene Richardson and Debra Martin; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.