He was raised by his late grandmother, Bertha Elmira Tillman Ambrose Dunlap in Monticello, AR. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alpha Menerva Phillips Ambrose; his brothers, Johnny Laraun, Willie Columbus and Jesse Lee Ambrose; and his sister, Pearlene Ambrose.
James accepted Christ at an early age at First Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, treasurer and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Arkansas, Bartholomew Masonic Lodge #28 of Monticello where he held former positions of Worshipful Master and treasurer. James also was a member of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Drew County Branch #6042, and treasurer of the Oakland Cemetery Burial Association.
James enjoyed fishing, mowing, playing dominoes, listening to blues music, riding his motorcycle (while using the C.B. handle "Kojak") and sitting on his front porch while taking-a -chew and waving at passing friends and neighbors.
He was united in holy matrimony July 20, 1958 for 60 years to his wife, Alpha. To this union was born three boys, Roderick (Lisa) Ambrose of Jacksonville, AR, Kenneth and Phillip Ambrose, both of Monticello, AR; two girls, Linda (Arthur) Johnson of Jacksonville, AR and Paula (Tyrone) Thompson of Mount Juliet, TN.
Other relatives left to lament his passing include daughters, Glenda (Al) Jones of Kansas City, KS, Jennifer Owens of St. Louis, MO, and Cathy Stewart of Monticello, AR; sons, Darrell Bauknight, Sr. of Monticello and Kenneth Avery of Selma, AR; sister, Jeannie Head Reed of Monroe, LA; brother, Bobby Ray Reed of Monroe, LA; sister-in-law, Mary Allen Ambrose of Monticello, LA; 23 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery. Visitation 6-8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(5)
Tim Forrest
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 2, 2019 Roderick and family,So sorry for your loss. Asking God to wrap his arms around your family and comfort you.
Your Classmate,
Tim Forrest
Rick Donham
, AR Friday, November 1, 2019 Roderick, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayersChaplain Beverly White
LITTLE ROCK, AR Friday, November 1, 2019 Thank you for allowing me to serve as one of his Chaplains at Hospice Home Care. Beautiful family......nice meeting you, Lisa. Prayers for all of you during this time.Vickie Stewart
Little Rock, AR Thursday, October 31, 2019 To Roderick and your family, this is a very heart felt moment for you all. I know how much you loved your dad and how much your dad loved you. Cherish the memories of the great times that you all had together. You all will feel so good inside and those memories will keep a smile in your heartJo Ann Smith-Lee
Monticello, AR Thursday, October 31, 2019 Mr. James Ambrose was a ray of sunshine and a big part of First Baptist Church and the Masonic Lodge. May the family find peace in the lost of this great warrior.