James Ambrose
July 10, 1937 - October 29, 2019

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello ,  AR 71657 11/1/2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Map & Directions Funeral Service Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello ,  AR 71657 11/2/2019 at 2:00 PM Map & Directions   Oakland Cemetery 800 North Hyatt St. Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions

and Eddie Mearl Ambrose Reed. He made his transition to his eternal home in glory on October 29, 2019, at the Hospice Home Care Facility in Little Rock, AR.

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.