Oma Lee James

Oma Lee Reed James, 87, of Cleveland, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017 from injuries sustained in a car accident. 

Oma Lee was born on April 7, 1930, to John R. Reed and Ida Clark Reed. She was the youngest and last survivor of 6 children. She was preceded in death by her parents and teenage son, Dennis James. 

Oma married Hubert Monroe James in 1947. On June 28 they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The couple lived in Flowery Branch until 2004 when they moved to Cleveland. She was a loving wife to Hubert throughout their marriage and a devoted mother to their three children. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, Deborah James of Mineral Bluff, GA and Bonita Roberts (Oscar Roberts III) of Cleveland, GA, grandchildren Oscar Roberts IV and Helen Roberts, and great-granddaughter Heather Roberts. 

A stay-at-home mom while her children were young, she later worked a variety of jobs including Chicopee Manufacturing, seamstress at Saul’s ladies’ fashions, nutritionist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, and co-owner and needleart teacher at Riches In Stitches needlework shop. 

Oma Lee was blessed with many talents, most outstanding of which was her needlework. She created beautiful clothing, jewelry and home decorations with her skills of knitting, crocheting, quilting, tatting and cross stitching. Her hand smocking adorned her great-granddaughter’s dresses and many of the porcelain dolls she so expertly created. 

She was a life long member of the Flowery Branch Homemakers Club and in 1999 was named Georgia Homemaker of the Year. 

Oma Lee was a loyal and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Flowery Branch until moving to Cleveland where she devoted her time and talents to Mt Yonah Baptist Church. No church meal was ever complete without her pies, cakes or cookies. She loved to bake but loved even more sharing her many gifts with others throughout the community. 

A service to celebrate Oma’s life will be held Thursday, May 25, 2:00 p.m. at Mt Yonah Baptist Church in Cleveland, GA. The family will be receiving friends and relatives at the church between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Light refreshments will be provided. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the building fund of Mt Yonah Baptist Church (706-865-5044), Eagle Ranch (770-967-8500) or your favorite charity. 

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, GA