James A. Shabazz

James Ameen Shabazz, was born as James Garfield Phillips, on May 25, 1924, to the late Romie and Helen Phillips, in Worton Point, Maryland. He departed this life on Sunday May 6, 2018, at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center Hospital in Chestertown, Maryland. Brother James received his education in the Kent County Public School system. He left school so he could work and help support his mother and father. He received his religious beginning at an early age, at Union United Methodist Church, where he helped the youth choir with several concerts and played piano for the senior choir, under Rev James Roberts. He was united in holy matrimony to May Anna Wilson, in Coleman Maryland. Brother James served in the US Army during World War II, leaving with an honorable discharge. Some years later, he went to Delaware, where he joined Local 199 as a skilled laborer for several years. Brother James’s next employment was with Chrysler Corporation in Newark, Delaware, for 25 years, until his retirement. In the early seventies, Brother James became a Muslim and joined the Muslim Center of Wilmington, in Wilmington Delaware. He was a devoted and faithful member for 48 years. He, along with many other members, made Delaware history on Oct. 28, 1977, when they appeared together in court to legally change their names to reflect their faith and heritage. This event appeared with photos in the News Journal newspaper, a first in Delaware and in the nation. Brother James was a quiet and easy-going person, always willing to lend a helping hand whenever and wherever he could. He loved to play and listen to jazz, and sometimes he took part in playing with the Jazz Johnson Ensemble. During his retirement years, Brother James loved to garden. He called it his “little farm patch”; the best vegetables in Pines. Gardening, along with riding his tractor, made him one happy camper. Brother James was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Neely and Daisy Wilson; two brothers, Charles and Hubert Phillips; and three grandchildren, Dawand, Tangier and Shawneeq. Surviving Family: Wife of 61 years, May A. Phillips; children, Doretha Williams and husband Kenneth, James Phillips Jr and wife Voncille, Theresa Johnson, Ronald Phillips and wife Ethenia; grandchildren, Valincia, Janet, Nya, Kelli, Kenny and wife Kay and James III and wife Dawn; Great Grandchildren, Kimbria, Sonja, Kaliah, Brandon and Kaiden; brother-in-law, John Wilson, Sr. and wife Grace; sister-in-law, Minerva Phillips; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Lovingly Submitted by the Family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James A. Shabazz, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

James A. Shabazz

May 25, 1924 - May 6, 2018