Dr. E. Lee James

Dr. E. Lee James, age 81 of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his home.  Dr. James was born in Ohio County, Kentucky, on December 7, 1943, to Foster James and Corabel Bennett James.  His conversion took place at West Point Baptist Church in Matanzas, Kentucky.
 
E. Lee was a 1961 graduate of Centertown High School.  He earned his B.A. degree from Campbellsville Baptist College, Campbellsville, Kentucky, in 1965 with a Major in Bible and a minor in Sociology-English.  E. Lee was ordained into the ministry in May of 1966 by the West Point Baptist Church.   He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Western Kentucky University, Luther Rice Baptist Seminary, and in 1988 completed and earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree in 1988.  Dr. James attended numerous conferences and seminars during his ministry of pastoring ten churches.  He was pastor of the Bellview Baptist Church in Paducah, Kentucky, from January 1992 to September 2010 which was his longest pastorate. Dr. James spent a total of 62 years in the ministry.   He served as chairman, president, director, and moderator of many Baptist groups and found time to be a school teacher.
 
Dr. James had the opportunity to go on many mission trips to Kenya, Africa, preach in Israel and Greece, travel to Jordan, Egypt, Rome, Holland, and preach in numerous revivals in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and West Virginia.
 
Dr. James' personal testimony included that "I am a Christian, God-called preacher, and a Missionary Southern Baptist.  I am glad I am all three, but in the order they are given."
 
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Georgetta Calloway James; one daughter, LeEtta (Frankie) Edwards of Dixon, Kentucky; one son, Timothy Lee James of Paducah, Kentucky; two brothers, Tommy (Melissa) James of Owensboro, Kentucky and David (Susan) James of Ohio County, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Tyler (Jada) Edwards, Jay Riley (Ashley) Edwards, Logan (Lindsey) Edwards, Victoria Laken James and Grace James; nine great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Edwards, Ander Edwards, Jaxon Edwards, Marley Edwards, Oliver Edwards, Jaeydan James, Max James, Sykeston James and Emberley James; several nieces and nephews.
 
Preceding in death were one son, Robert Timothy James; one sister, Colleen Ashby, and his parents.
 
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Bellview Baptist Church with Dr. Don Mathis officiating.  Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Bell Cemetery in Centertown, Kentucky, in Ohio County, with Rev. Eddie Duke officiating.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the service time of 2:00 p.m. at the church.
 
Expression of sympathy may be made to Bellview Baptist Church Mission Fund, 4875 Old Mayfield Road, Paducah, KY 42003.
 
Arrangements made by the Milner & Orr Funeral of Paducah.

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