James Willie Snowden

James Willie Snowden was born on April 25, 1937, to the late Willie & Mattie Gregg Snowden of Florence County, South Carolina. James attended school in Florence County, South Carolina. As a youth, he attended St. Peters Holiness Church in Florence, South Carolina, where he received the Holy Ghost and was baptized in Jesus’s name.

James married Evangeline Snowden in 1957 in Florence, South Carolina.

James was a well-known quartet singer who sang from state to state to provide for his family and shined shoes on the side.  As a father of all girls, he was very protective over his daughters. He called all the boyfriends Junior.  

James left South Carolina as a young man in 1965 and settled in Paterson, New Jersey.

The first important thing was to find a church home. He landed at Gilmore Tabernacle Church in Paterson, NJ, where there was a choir he enjoyed. The choir robes were swinging to the hymns he enjoyed.

At that time, Rev. Gilmore was the pastor. James was always faithful going to church and attending Bible Study, until one day, Rev. Gilmore passed away.  The church wasn’t the same anymore. James and his family moved down to Grace Chapel Baptist Church in Paterson, NJ, under Rev. Weldon McWilliams, where he joined the senior and men’s choir.  On those Sundays, he fully enjoyed out-singing everyone in the Choir with a swag swing in his robe.  As the years went by, Rev. McWilliams passed away, then it was Rev. Lawton.

James worked for Base State, City of Paterson Public Works, School Crossing Guard, Universal Manufacturing Company & Art Tires. James turned 60 and decided to retire.  He served on the City Council for the 4th Ward in Paterson, NJ. He became very close friends with Mayor Kramer, who was in office at that time.

James and Evangeline retired and moved to Virginia Beach, VA, in August 2003 to enjoy the best of a good life with family. 

His hobbies included going to the beach, riding his bike 4 to 6 miles a day to Mount Trashmore, watching his westerns,  writing letters to all the family members, and watching his Mets, New York Yankees, and New York Giants,  plus detailing an SUV.

James and Evangeline didn’t wait too long to find a church that suited them. It was Dominion Christian Center in 2004. He went to Bible Study on Wednesday nights and attended church on Sundays. His Faith in God was very strong as a child. 

Well, James decided to look for work again. Detailing cars at Beach Ford Dealership was short-lived.

James was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and brothers, Harry Greg and Sylvester Snowden, sisters Daisy Mae Sanders & Ila Benjamin, and Daughter Gloria Weaver.

After a battle well fought on Monday, March 10, 2025, James made his transition from life to his heavenly home. Thanks to his Granddaughter Raven Young with a natural gift from God, who became his daytime caregiver, who gave him so much love and care her “ Papa Sonny Boy”.

Also, give thanks to his son-in-law Palmer C Young Jr., the night time caregiver, who James called “Deadman walking “in his dementia voice. Palmer enjoyed all the kind words James said to him at bedtime. That was James’s playmate. 

Extra special thanks to his two daughters, Deborah Snowden and LaWanda Campbell, for coming to Virginia Beach several times to care for him.

Last but not least, the “Matriarchis”, his baby daughter, Petrina Young, the nighttime and weekend caregiver who moved both of her parents into the Young’s Chateau in 2021.

He leaves to cherish his memory; a loving and devoted wife Evangeline M Snowden, daughters LaWanda Campbell (precedent Tony) of Paterson, NJ, Deborah Snowden E Stroudsburg, PA, Petrina Young (Palmer) Virginia Beach, VA, Sandra Roberts, Elizabeth Town, NC, sister in law LaVerneda Howard Charlotte, NC, brother in law Rufus Abraham (Linda) Florence, SC. 12 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-granchildren. Niece Ann Johnson (Leroy) Florence, SC and Nephew Jacob Snowden (Deborah) Paterson, NJ.

Thanks to all who cared for James when he needed it: Terri Belfield, Aisha Barnes, Chantel Davis aka Princess, Cynthia Blackwell, Charon Washington, Chris Satterfield, Mr. Prince Balance Home Care, Patti Granison, and the best Hospice Care Team, Atheart Home Care.