Donnamaria Patricia James (affectionately known as Pat), was born on Saturday September 4,1943 on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean to the late Clarence Henry and Caroline Dickinson, and was the eldest of 11 children.
In her youth, she attended Hills Secondary School, and was a member of Spring Gardens Moravian Church. After Sunday school, pat and her girlfriends would walk up to roundabout at the Antigua recreation grounds to lime ( relax and enjoy themselves). At the age of 18, she married her first husband Kelsau Knowles, with whom she had Darnley, Kay, and Stacy Knowles. After she migrated to the United States, she worked various jobs to provide for her children. After separating from Kelsau knowles, she later met and married Malcolm James with whom she had her daughter Keosha James.
Pat’s love for children led her to pursue an higher education, and attended Borough of Manhattan Community College, where she received her degree in early childhood education. Upon graduating from college, her passion for educating the youth, guided her into teaching at a daycare in the Bronx. Due to circumstances beyond her control, Pat left her job at the daycare and became a home health aide until illness fell upon her and she eventually retired. Pat was a very compassionate human being and loved caring for people.
Pat knew how to enjoy life. Her favorite things to do included going on busrides, picnics, parties, dancing, shopping, traveling, baking, and cooking her native West Indian dishes. She was a very talented woman, and was great at anything she put her mind to do. Everything from baking to making party favors were her specialty.
Her love for traveling motivated her to visit several, states, countries, and islands. She wanted to see as much of the world as she possibly could. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she would always greet them with “hey boo”. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for them.
She was a true lover of Christ and a faithful and longstanding member of United Moravian Church even after she relocated to Georgia with her children. She loved her church family dearly and served on the Moravian Women’s board for many years.
Pat was a loyal, loving, and faithful friend to many. She loved to share every and anything she had with her friends and family, even if it was her last. Pat was a beautiful woman inside and out and will truly be missed by everyone dear to her.
Pat was preceded in death by her beloved parents Clarence and Caroline, maternal and paternal grandparents, her sister Carol Martin, her brother Ralphy Martin, her husband Malcolm James, and her daughter Stacy Knowles. She is survived by her great aunt Camilla Williams (N.C.), her uncle Novelle Dickinson (V.A.), her brothers Helmut Henry (C.T.), Randy and Ronnie Henry (N.Y.), her sisters Joan Henry (U.K.), Cynthia Martin-Nelson, Avrilyn, Maxine, and Desiree Martin (C.A.),
She leaves to mourn her son Darnley (U.K.), daughters Kay and Keosha (G.A.), her grandsons Phillip Obesie, Danroy James, Kayden Simpson and Kai Knowles, her granddaughters Ayinde, Shayla, and Jada knowles, great grandchildren Phillip jr. and Danreese, her god daughters Yvonne and Shari, many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, too many to mention. Pat was loved by us all.
The family of Donnamaria James near and far will always remember how you loved us during this time of bereavement. Your support through prayer, phone calls, and your presence have made us stronger during this difficult time. Please continue to pray for us as we adjust to the physical absence of our beloved Pat. You have helped us to understand that although she is absent from us, she is present with the Lord.
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