Emily Ina Fraser-James

This world, however beautiful, was never meant to be the place that we should call home for all
eternity. And though we would not choose to leave, a loving God knows best, and in His time, He lifts us to a place of peace and rest.

Emily Ina Fraser-James was called to be with her heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. She was born on January 20, 1948, to Uton Emanuel and Amy Theresa Fraser in Brandon Hill, St. Andrews, Jamaica.

Emily attended school in Brandon Hill before moving to Kingston, Jamaica where she met Ainsley Porter.  This union was blessed with seven children. She was pivotal in the community, as she would not hesitate to assist those in need up until the day of her passing.

In 1985, Emily migrated to the USA, with her eldest child Evangeline and soon after brought her remaining children along to join them.  She met and married Gregory James and one child was born to that union, Danielle.  They later raised two grandchildren and adopted another.

In 1987, she joined Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as a character interpreter and worked alongside her husband Gregory, until his passing in 2013.

While working at Colonial Williamsburg, Emily portrayed numerous roles during her tenure, which started with Nan at the Powell House and her latest being Edith Cumbo. This was her favorite role. Emily’s portrayal of Edith was of a freed black during the height of the American Revolution. She was also able to meet the Cumbo family during one of her presentations and took pride in that opportunity.

A few of her most memorable and exciting moments were being the keynote speaker at the Citizenship and Naturalization Ceremony in June 2019, when Alex Haley (author of “Roots”) complimented her on the work she was doing, and Reverend Jesse Jackson (American civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister) was in attendance.

Emily will be truly missed. Her sudden demise was a shock to so many who loved her outgoing, fun-loving, witty, and “free-spirited” personality. She touched many lives of those who had crossed paths with her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Uton and Amy Fraser; daughter Claudia Porter; and husband Gregory James. She leaves to cherish her fond memories, her children, Evangeline (Marcia), Noel, Ann “Marie” (John), Jacqueline, Carlos, Victor, and Danielle; adopted grandchild  Ariela; sixteen grandchildren, Kevon, Shauna, Marcus, Karl (Alexis), Ashton, Claudia Emily, Ashley, Zyheem, Victoria, Kaleyah, Claudia Vanessa, David, Victor Jr., Avery, Zion, and Ricardo; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Avis Fraser and Keturah Fraser; brothers, William Fraser and Leroy Fraser; and a host of nieces, nephews, many extended families, and friends.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024, at St. John Baptist Church.  Interment to follow in the church cemetery.  Mrs. Fraser-James may be viewed from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2024, in the funeral home.

The family requests that memorial donations be made in honor of Emily Fraser-James by clicking the following link: Click Here

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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