James Orr III

James Orr III, 63 -Father, friend, and mentor transitioned on February 26, 2021 surrounded by his children and family. Born on March 31st, 1957 to James Orr, Jr. and Jewell Ware, James was a role model with a heart of gold and loved by all. He loved his family and friends. James was a momma’s boy and an amazing father. James graduated John Herbert Phillips High School, in 1975. A few years later he was recruited to the coast guard in Orlando, FL by his uncle Joseph Ware where he proudly served from 1978 to 1988 when he was honorably discharged. James later came back home to Birmingham, Alabama where he worked and retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 22 years.

James was a wise man; people of all ages and stations in life sought his advice and benefited from his counsel. He will be remembered for his teasing jokes, wisdom, wildly entertaining stories, powerful testimony, unfailing work ethic, generous smile, and his willingness to help anyone anytime regardless of what he may have been going through. He was a man of integrity, a grill master, no one could grill like James and who can forget the infamous mix CD’s he loved to make our own personal d.j.

James is preceded in death by his father James Orr Jr. and survived by his mother Jewell Ware six children: Latoya Blake- Shittu, Tia Blake, Ebony Blake, Dominque Orr, Shontia Orr, and Jermain Orr. 11 grandchildren Tyson James Blake, Loghan Blake, Dylan Blake, Brielle Blake, Dakota Blake, Kylon Blake, Zoey Blake, Za’Ryan Harvey, Andre Orr, Jemar Orr, and Jemel Orr. He transcends with love and also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, his significant other Brenda Mckenzie his ex-wife and good friend of 30 years Linda Orr.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate James life at the Baptist Church of Zion City, 1104 Gene Reed Road, Birmingham, AL 35235 on Saturday 03/06/2021 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Jefferson Memorial Gardens 1591 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235. There will be a public viewing on Friday, 03/5/2021, starting at 10: 00 a.m. until 5 :00 p.m. at John’s-Ridout's Funeral Parlors, 2116 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35233