Mr. James Fairlee
Mr. James Edward Fairlee was born in Vance, Mississippi to the late Mary Fairlee and James Reynolds on August 22, 1955.
James was a man whose life reflected the light of his faith in every step. A devoted husband, father, and servant of God, he found purpose not only in providing for his family as a skilled welder, but in pouring love into every meal he cooked and every word he spoke. His home was his ministry—welcoming, nurturing, and full of laughter. He worked tirelessly, not for praise, but as an act of devotion to the people he loved and to the Lord he served. His hands may have known the grit of labor, but his heartbeat with grace and gratitude. Even in the ordinary moments, he carried himself with quiet strength and humility, showing what it meant to walk with God. Though we mourn his passing, we rejoice in the assurance that he now rests in eternal peace, cradled in the arms of the One he so faithfully followed.
James was preceded in death his parents, Mary (James) Reynolds, and James Raynolds; three sons, James Fairlee, James Hines, and Travion Taylor, and a granddaughter, Jamakya Green
James leaves to cherish a lifetime of memories his loving and adored wife, Tiffany Smith-Fairlee Belleville, Illinois; his beloved daughters, Melissa (Armandez) Fairlee of Springfield, IL, Shiquita (David) Davis of Granite City, IL, and Jamie (Nicolas) Sherman of Adamsville, AL; his devoted sons, Torando (LaToya) Fairlee, Antiono (Shelly) Fairlee, Mario (Tina) Fairlee all of Springfield, IL, and Jaren (Porcha) Jamison. He also embraced Keyarria Jamison, Sabrina (Jeffrey) Sanders, De’Aundre Fairlee, TyShaun Stainback, Jaliyah Smith, Sade Stewart, and Kameron Chavis as his honorary children, loving them as his own; his wonderful sisters, Shirley Jones of Springfield, IL, Evon Fairlee-Williams of Clarksdale, MS, Mary Reynolds of Tunica, MS, and Pamela (Andrew) Ingram of Southaven, MS; his awesome brothers, Leslie (Molly) Fairlee of Hernando, MS, Terry (Kim) Fairlee of St. Louis, MO, Darryl (Linda) Reynolds of Webb, MS, Jerry Fairlee of Clarksdale, MS, Tommie Reynolds and Morris Fairlee, of Tutwiler, MS; very special auntie, Ms. Carry Ann Fairlee; his adorable grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In each of them lives a part of his spirit, his strength, his kindness, his faith. Together, they are the living testament to the life he led: generous, unwavering, and deeply rooted in love. His legacy continues not only through their lives, but in every person, he lifted up, every meal shared, and every heart he touched along the way.