Dr. James E. Handy Jr, church musician extraordinaire is a native of Woodstown, New Jersey where he began piano lessons at age seven and continued to receive early musical training in the public schools through his participation in the high school band, chorus, and orchestra. As a teenager, Handy began organ lessons and was appointed his first church musician job at Saint Mark AME Church in Gladsboro, New Jersey.
As a citizen of Norfolk, VA, Handy joined Antioch Baptist Church and was appointed as the church’s Minister of Music, a position he held for 40 years, before retiring in June 1996. Through the years, his vast musical contributions to the Hampton Roads community have included involvement as Organist/Pianist/Accompanist (organ/piano) for the Voices of Norfolk Concert Choir Inc. and the Matthew Gospel Singers, Chapel Organist for Graves Funeral Home and Metropolitan Funeral Home and Musician for the Norfolk Branch of the NAACP as well as other guest appointments and appearances throughout the area.
Dr. Handy’s musicianship gained him national acclaim in the genre of church music through his position as the first Music Director for the Eagle Arts Youth Retreat at the General Convention of Virginia, as musician for the Evangelical Board of the National Baptist Convention of America; as one of the hymnology instructors for The Union Christian Bible Institute in Durham, North Carolina and the Virginia Bible Institute in Virginia and organist for the First Church of Deliverance in Chicago, Illinois. Internationally, Handy traveled abroad in 1995 and was the worship song leader for a baptism service attended by hundreds at the Jordan River. The trip also included visits to the Sea of Galilee, the Garden of Gethsemane and to Calvary in Jerusalem.
Dr. James E. Handy has held membership in the National Hymn Society, is a founding member of the Great Eureka Lodge No. 5 IBPO Elks of the World and is the founder of the Hampton Roads Choir Directors/ Organist Guild. He is a Past President and a member of the Executive Board and Nominating Committee of the Hampton University’s Minister’s Conference Choir Directors/Organist Guild. Also he is a charter member of the Madam Porter Owens Scholarship Committee.
In recognition for his many musical achievements and contributions, James is a recipient of the Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from the Virginia Bible University and Mayor Roy B. Martin issued a City of Norfolk Proclamation declaring a “James E. Handy, Jr. Day.”
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Personal Service, Peace of Mind, Pleasant Memories
© Metropolitan Funeral Service
Joseph Lassiter says
November 9, 2019 at 10:24 pmMay you Rest In Peace Handy, the angels in heaven are waiting for you along with Rev. Joseph Lassiter, what a day of JOY
Mae M. Wiley & Marian Jackson says
November 13, 2019 at 1:38 pmCreated to Shine with an inspiring, One-of-a-kind light in our world. Now ascended to enjoy forever the ONE who gave HIS ALL to make him HIS child.
You will be dearly missed and never forgotten, I’m sure you and our sister Marjorie A.Mitchell (one of your musical prodigies) are enjoying Heaven.
R a l e t t e Robinson says
November 10, 2019 at 8:00 amTo the family we send our condolences. My daughter’s and I was Mr
Handy pca’s we Love severing him. Thank you family for sharing Him with us.
Jacqueline Smith( Flowers) says
November 10, 2019 at 3:02 pmTo my Godfather! Love you and will miss our time together. Thank you for all your love. We will miss you dearly. Jacqueline Smith (Flowers) and family. Gone but never forgotten.
Mae M. Wiley & Marian Jackson says
November 13, 2019 at 1:39 pmCreated to Shine with an inspiring, One-of-a-kind light in our world. Now ascended to enjoy forever the ONE who gave HIS ALL to make him HIS child.
You will be dearly missed and never forgotten, I’m sure you and our sister Marjorie A.Mitchell (one of your musical prodigies) are enjoying Heaven.
Margo Bullock says
November 10, 2019 at 6:03 pmI’m so sorry to hear about our elite Minister of Music James E. Handy Jr. I grew up watching you master your gift of music and I always wanted to learn to play. You were truly loved and will be missed. I pray your soul RIP. Somethings about people stand out and for me it was your laugh. You could really help the young Brother’s with their beards today because you’ve been wearing yours for the 56 years that I’ve known you.
NeicyB Taylor says
November 11, 2019 at 12:27 amMr. Handy
I have been knowing you since I was a teenager. When my Mother Elizabeth Perry left this earth, I called you either once a week or several times a month. Lord knows I enjoyed our conversations about your Steelers and Empire. Everyone knew not to call you while they were on tv. When I called you and you didn’t call me right back I knew something was wrong. I am glad I called the hospital and had my final talk with you. I am having a hard time with this because I cannot call, laugh and joke with you anymore.
I love and miss you! May you Rest In Peace.
Vanessa Parker says
November 11, 2019 at 11:25 amI am sadden to hear about Mr.Handy. I met him in 1972 while still a senior at BTW here in Norfolk. I worked with him at Alstchuls Dept Store and he was my supervisor in the Men’s Dept. He trained me well in Men’s attire… He was kind and easy going.. Never rushing and always taking his time while making sure to teach you all that he knew. Well Dressed, Well Known, Kind Heart, He will be missed by many.
Cynthia Brooks-Allen says
November 11, 2019 at 12:24 pmDr. Handy it was such a pleasure meeting you. I will miss your laughter, sense of humor and your smile. We had only known you for a short while and I’m truly heart-broken to hear of your passing. The employees and staff at All About You Residential Care located in the city of Chesapeake, VA are so sad and sorry. You will be missed Dr.Handy may you Rest in Peace.
Estherine J. Harding says
November 12, 2019 at 10:53 amDeepest sympathy and prayers to Dr. Handy’s family. May God bless and comfort you during this difficult time. Dr. Handy will be missed by so, so many who loved and knew him as well as those who enjoyed his exemplary musical talent demonstrated at various programs where Gospel Music was being highlighted.
Dr. Clarence D. Miller DD and family says
November 12, 2019 at 4:21 pmSorry to hear of the transition of my friend,co-laborer int he field of music. Mr. Handy was a true church musician. RIP my friend and brother
Janet Benson says
November 12, 2019 at 7:34 pmFaye Gardley $ Janet Benson
Cynthia Brady says
November 13, 2019 at 9:17 pmR I.P.
Cousin Jim
Cynthia Brady & Family????
Wardell & Debra Overton says
November 13, 2019 at 9:14 amMay you rest in peace, you are now singing with the angels. You will be missed because you are loved by many. Wardell Overton and sister will miss you, but we know you are in a better place.
Beverly Smullen Archer says
November 13, 2019 at 2:30 pmYour spirit, style, voice and humor will always be remembered. I will never forget our last visit and how much we laughed that day. I can still see your face as we were leaving and that pleasant smile. Uncle Handy you were an amazing human being and it was a blessing to have shared in your life. I love you and will truly, truly miss you!
Jean Henderson says
November 13, 2019 at 6:18 pmCousin James, I will miss our talks and laughter. Our love for music and our piano playing bonded us together. Discussing our memories about Woodstown and Bailey Street, I will never forget. Rest In Peace.
Cynthia Brady says
November 13, 2019 at 9:19 pmR I.P.
Cousin Jim
Cynthia Brady & Family????
Larry Cooper says
November 13, 2019 at 10:40 pmJimmy was a kind soul and inspiration to all who know him. His wonderful talent in gospel music was incomparable. He’s been a long time family friend and dedicated servant of the church, and loved singing for the Lord.
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept our sincere condolences.
The Cooper family
Melanie Littlejohn-Lee says
November 14, 2019 at 9:04 amUncle Jimmy….what can i say, you were the funniest, most talented,musician I have ever encountered …I remember as a very young girl the many rehearsals, performances, and gatherings of you, my mom Priscilla, my “aunts”, Mary (Madam), Novella, Bertha, Lillie, Ann (Kissa),Katie and,liz… (The Matthew Gospel Singers) and the story that you always told of traveling with boiling water the entire trip up north and back in the anticipation of my birth..lol…you were full of life, laughter and music…you will be missed, take a bow dear uncle and Rest in Eternal Peace… Lovingly, Melanie
Carla V Lawrence & Marlene Lawrence says
November 14, 2019 at 11:41 amJim we were saddened to hear that you had passed on. Knowing t had lived a full glorious life. We are going to miss that hàrdy laugh and jokes. You always had love for family and friends ☺️ and we definitely appreciated your ? of music.
Gary and Carman Dent says
November 14, 2019 at 2:39 pmLord, those who die still live in Your presence, their lives change but do not end. They remain in our hearts forever.
Let us pray in hope for the life of Dr. Handy, his Antioch family, relatives and friends. Comfort all who mourn his death and fill all of us with hope in Your resurrection.
We thank You Lord for Dr. Handy his teaching, beautiful music, loving spirit and encouragement to those who enjoyed playing the piano, as I (Gary) did growing up observing his genius.
The Dent Family
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