There’s an open gate at the end of the road though which each must go alone; And there is a light we cannot see; Our Father claims his own … Beyond the gate our loved one finds happiness and rest, and there is comfort in the thought that a loving God knows best.

DeLettie Evelyn Walker James Coon was born on Dec. 23, 1916, in Bolivar, to the late Festes Mix Walker and Corean Briggs Walker. She was the fifth child of six children — Luscious, Frank, Curtis, Willie Mae and Percy — who all preceded her in death.

At an early age, DeLettie gave her life to the Lord. Joining Union Chapel A.M.E. Church, she attended Sunday School and later taught catechism, served as Sunday school teacher and superintendent.

DeLettie was married in holy matrimony to the late Chester James Jr. and this union was blessed with Shirlean Dyson (the late Alfonse), Bettye Stirgus (the late Leon), the late Hedi Lamarr, the late Angus James (Faye), Vance (Linda), Albert Ray (Debra), Bryant, Jimmy, Ella Mae, Helen and Patricia.

DeLettie was united in holy matrimony on Aug. 13, 1956, to the late Ollie Coon. In 1960, DeLettie moved to Chicago, Ill., with her husband, where she graduated from Madam C.J. Walker Cosmetology School. She continued serving the Lord at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, where she worked as a missionary president and Sunday school teacher.

Moving back to Louisiana in 1967, DeLettie became a member of the Eastern Stars, and opened her own beauty salon. She reunited with Union Chapel A.M.E. Church, where she continued served as superintendent of the Sunday school, missionary president, laymen president, trustee, usher board member and church historian.

DeLettie loved her family as well as her church family. Her entire life was dedicated to loving, helping, and serving others. Studying God’s work was also very important to her. In 1969, she started giving Bibles to high school graduates. She has given over 400 Bibles to young men and women of Union Chapel and neighboring churches.

On Oct. 13, 2016, God, who so graciously loaned her to us for four score and nineteen years, summoned her into His presence for eternal rest. And, so we say, “To God be the Glory.”

She leaves to rejoice in her homegoing: sons, Vance (Linda) Albert Ray James (Debra), Bryant James and Jimmy James, all of Louisiana; daughters, Shirlean Dyson (the late Alfonse), Ella Mae James, Helen James, and Patricia James, all of Louisiana, and Bettye Stirgus (the late Leon) of Illinois; sister-in-law, Grace Walker of Louisiana; 17 grandchildren, Carole Kindred of Illinois, DeLolita Severan Campbell (Rodney) of California, Larquetta Prementer (Chez) of Virginia, Kym Toi James of Oklahoma City, Rex Dyson (Sherri) Baton Rouge, Willie Mae Cutuer (Windell) Roseland, Neisha Fox, Veronica James, Reginald James, Anthony Dyson, Phyllis Brumfield (Earl), Kelvin James, Lakeish James, Carlton James, Tiffany James, Keisha James, Albert Ray James Jr. and Larice Matthews, all of Kentwood; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and her Union Chapel families.

She was preceded in death by four grandchildren, Joel Dyson, Malonise Stirgus, Kenneth James and Raymond Dyson.

The funeral service will be Sunday, Oct. 23, at noon at Union Chapel A.M.E. Church in Kentwood. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon before the service.

Interment will follow in the Union Chapel cemetery. The Rev. Sherman Berry will officiate.

Cook-Richmond Funeral Home of Franklinton is in charge of arrangements.