Herstory

Sarah was born on July 1, 1942, to the union of the late Reverend Lewis James Sr. and Ruby Adell (Farmer) James of Chicago, Illinois, their middle child of 13 siblings, 7 of which
preceded her in death; Ruby Will, Anna Louise, Issac, Lewis Jr., Annie, Eliza and Robert.

Sarah accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 7 years through the Student Street Evangelism Ministry of Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, Illinois. She united with the New Bethany Baptist Church and was baptized on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949 by Pastor Ernest
Hudson. The James family relocated to the West Side of Chicago in June of 1956, where she united with Shiloh Baptist Church, Pastor Woodrow Wilson Taylor.

Sarah was educated in the Chicago Public School System, graduating from John Farren Elementary School I January 1957 (Valedictorian), Crane High School, January 1961 (Class President, National Honor Society), Kennedy King Jr. College, 1973 (Who’s Who in American
Junior Colleges). In later years, she attended Arizona College of the Bible for Biblical Studies and Missions, in Phoenix, Arizona 1991-1993.

Sarah met and married her youthful love, James Cornelius Alexander and to their union two daughter were born, Angela Marie Alexander who survives her and Stephanie Elaine Alexander, who preceded her in death at an early age. Sarah and James spent numerous years in military service, wherein were estranged until his passing in 2007.

Sarah, upon relocation to Inglewood, California in 1973 continued regular employment for over 40 years as a Medical transcriptionist, editor and independent contracting transcriptionist, volunteer and staff member in her home churches, Bethany Baptist Church of West Los Angeles, Pastor Rocellia Johnson, serving as the Evangelism Department
Facilitator and Secretary for Christian Endeavor for Educational Assistant.

After relocating to Phoenix/Glendale, Arizona in 1982, Sarah united with the First Institutional
Baptist Church, Pastor Warren H. Stewart Sr., for two membership periods and served as Church Secretary, Executive Secretary, Elections Commission Secretary, Adult Sunday School Teacher Evangelism and Disciple Ministry Facilitator/Evangelism Instructor and Church Clerk, (1984-1996).

Sarah was at interim united with First New Life Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Henry Barnwell (1987-1991) and served as Church Secretary and Evangelism Instructor during
that time. She returned to her church home of First Institutional Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful member until her passing on July 11, 2020.

Sarah was last employed with Highway Christian Hospice of Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Eugene E. Stevens, M.D., Medical Director for 8 years, from which she retired and after 50+ years of
working, finally found sheer delight in adjusting to RETIREMENT!

Sarah’s Favorite Scriptures:

For me to live is Christ, to dies is gain.

Be not weary in well doing, especially to them who are of the Household of Faith.

Being confident of this very thing, he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

For we all know that all things work together for them that love the Lord and the called according to his purpose.

And this is the confidence that we have, that if we ask anything to his will, he heareth us.

Sarah leaves to cherish her memory and mourn her passing her beloved and devoted daughter Angela Marie Alexander-Rogers, her Granddaughter, Valesra Denise DuShun Rogers-Williams, her Godson, Johnny Anderson II, sisters Edna Irene Holloway, Naomi Salaam Sharif (Chicago, IL), Rosemary S. Evans (Indianapolis, IN), Jacqueline Johnson (Fayette, AL), Patricia James (Indianapolis, IN), brother Jesse James (Yellowsprings, OH), a host of nieces & nephews, great nieces & great nephews, great-great nieces & nephews, one cousin, William J. Cobb (Glendale, AZ), her best friend, Elaine Martin (Chicago, IL) and longtime friends whom she maintained contact with until her passing.

Rest well Sarah

Special Thank you to:

Pastor Warren H. Stewart, Sr.

Deborah Talbert

Betty Anderson

Edna Holloway

Jacqueline Johnson & Robert James

Rosemary Evans

Derrick and Lisa Nash

Vanessa Church

Mark Sanders

William & Treva Sanders Salaam

Shaunette Blackwell

Calvin Blackwell

Nanatte Jones

Lisa Collins

Bree Amber Patterson

LaSandra Jackson

Tracy Shields-Johnson

Joye Elise Jordan

Monique and Shannon Downs

Rowshiadia McCall and Dasha Smith

Howard, Chris, Helene, Petie Weathers & Family

Inglewood High School Alumni Family

Your continued prayers, calls, text messages and emails are greatly appreciated.