Edna Mae James

Obituary: Edna Mae James was born in Waxahachie,Texas on May 7, 1941 to parents Roscoe Byrd and Carrie C. Crawford. She was the eldest of 14; 7 brothers, and 6 sisters. Edna’s formal education was in Waxahachie, Texas and she moved to San Diego in 1966. Edna worked in the medical field as a certified nurse’s assistant for many years at Lemon Grove Convalescent Home and UCSD Medical Center. During the 1980’s Edna was the first African American woman to work in construction in San Diego for a company called Hazard construction.

She changed career’s in 1990, and worked as a lab sterilization technician at well-known research, pharmaceutical and biotech companies in San Diego such as Pfizer, Ely Lilly, UCSD, and Scripps. God’s loving hands and calling was on her from a very early age. She was raised in a Baptist church and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. She loved attending church, serving the Lord, ministering to and praying for God’s people. Edna held many positions in the church (Eph 4:12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. In her spare time, she read spiritual books and studied the bible. Edna befriended Pastor Tyrone Taylor and Co-Pastor Lucille Taylor in 1990, and became a member of their church, which was called Power Life Christian Center, when it was first established in 1992. Under the leadership and guidance of Pastor Tyrone Taylor, Edna received her licensed and was ordained as an Evangelist in 1996.  Shortly thereafter, she was installed, as a Pastor. From then on, she worked in the Woman's Ministry that she called “Wounded but Not Defeated”. God really anointed her in the ministry of deliverance and used her in a mighty way. She often assisted Apostle Tyrone Taylor in this area, and continued to work with him on various assignments up until the day she passed. After departing Power Life Christian Center, she served briefly as an associated pastor of temple of Judah apostolic church under Bishop David Burroughs in 2004 / 2005.  In 2010 she assisted pastor Ruby L. Jackson and Elder Herbert Hunter with the Tuesday service at Grace Chapel Church of God and Christ. Pastor James enjoyed helping out with the service and couldn’t wait for Tuesday to come around. As a result of her tremendous work, the congregation grew expeditiously. People would rearrange their work schedule just to be there. She touched the lives of so many people. She was very active in the church and served on various church committees. In 2015 she was elected to the board of directors for Elder Hunter (preparing the way school of ministry). Pastor James was a powerful prayer warrior, excellent teacher of the word, faithful, and dedicated servant of God. When she couldn’t drive anymore, Pastor James took public transportation to attend church; pressing her way through even when she didn’t feel well. Pastor James coined a phrase -I MUST GIVE TO THOSE WHOM NOTHING HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR. Pastor James was called home to be with the Lord and rest in his peace on February 24th 2019 at her home. She fought a good fight; she finished her course; she kept the faith to the very end. (2 Tim 4:7-8). She loved the Lord, her family, and helping the needy. We will all miss her and her genuine love.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Byrd, three sisters; two brothers; two sons, Morris Anthony Byrd and Roscoe Foster, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories: Daughter Dianne E. Foster Pittman (Greg Pittman); sons Omar McDade; (Jackie McDade), and Solomon Emanuel James Jr.

Grandkids: McClendon Jeron Harrison, Marcus Omar McDade, Candace Ann Pittman, Shavanteal Aleese Grenney, Vylisha Russell, Omar Saleem McDade, Blade Terrell McDade, Anthony Lorenzo McDade, Lilley Rose Seamons, Emani Maelaine James. great grandkids, Darius Micheal McDade, Kai Lorenzo Latu McDade, Molliee Zahara McDade, and Evian Marshaun Clifton.

Living Siblings: Billy J. Byrd of Dallas Tx, Julia Amatullah Elahi of Arlington Tx, Charles Dell Byrd of Colorado Springs, Lenard G. Byrd of Dallas Tx, Vanessa Ann Byrd of Dallas Tx, Shirley Rae Byrd of Dallas Tx, Donald Ray Byrd of Milford Tx, Darrell W. Byrd of Waxahatchie Tx.

Deceased Siblings: Magarett Nell Williams, Roscoe Byrd, Jr, Waheedah Elahi (AKA Tisha Marie Byrd), Jessie Byrd, Rose Dunn Byrd. Two uncles and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and very dear friends.

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