Mrs. Valaida O. James, age 80, of Birmingham, Alabama peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. She retired from Booker T. Washington Insurance Company and Alabama Power Company. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at Sardis Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Kurt S. Clark, Sr., officiating, with burial in Zion Memorial Gardens. Survivors include: daughter, Rhonda E.J. (Jason) Simpkins; sons, Rudolph L. (Velinda) James, Jr., and Ryan L. James, Sr., Pinellas Park, FL; sister, Era M. Owens; brothers, Harold L. (Willie Lee) Owens, Sr. and Andrew E. (Theresa) Owens; mother-in-law, Sarah Gray; twelve granchildren; three great grandchildren; a host of brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends. Smith & Gaston Southside directing.