Obituary of James Broadnax

James (James Baby)  Broadnax departed this earthly life on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Pensacola, Florida at Select Specialty Hospital.  James was born on May 06, 1944 to Elijah Broadnax, Sr. and Lillie Mae Broadnax in Saco, Alabama.  James was preceded in death by his mother and father; siblings: Freddie Lewis Broadnax, Willie Frank Broadnax, John D. Broadnax and Lurlean Downing; his grandmothers, Jannie Lee Thomas and Annie Lee Broadnax.

James is survived by a devoted wife of 44 years - Virgina Hall-Broadnax.  He leaves to fondly remember him - brother: Elijah Broadnax, Jr. (Tedranne) and McElwaye Broadnax (Angela); sisters: Annie Mae Hendricks, Elouise Maxwell, Jonnie Ree Rumph, Nell Broadnax and Evelina Jackson (Alonzo): uncle: Willie F. "Bayboy" Thomas (Nell); aunts: Mary Jones, Martha Zachary, Lillie J. Jackson and sister-in-law, Ella R. Hall, and God daughters April and LaToya Atkins.

"James Baby" graduated from Perote High School - Bullock County, Alabama in 1962.  Shortly therafter, he relocated to Fort Walton Beach, Florida where he worked for various companies before enlisting into the U.S. Army in 1965 (serving in the Vietnam War).  James was a member of the Piney Grove Baptist Church in Bullock County, Alabama during his formative years and later the Beulah First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida under the leadership of former Pastor S.L. Thigpen and current Pastor Felix L. Cole.  James was a dedicated member of the Male Chorus, and long-time member of the Trustee Ministry.

James retired from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in 2008, as an Aircraft Ground Equipment (AGE) Painter.  He held other positions with the AF as a Supply Clerk and Transportation Driver.  James worked extensively for the Radcliff Company in Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola as a Concrete Material Handler/Truck Driver.  James was an avid gardner and a fierce fisherman!

James was "Daddy/Pops" to: Joe Ray Broadnax, Rose Marie Steele, Francis Lovelace, Debra Crooks (Steve), Jacquiline "Peaches" Broadnax, Marcus Broadnax, Stacy Thompson, Terence James (Jennifer), Jasmine Head, La'Farma (Jaquel) Head, Chaka Head and Debbie R. Broadnax.  He was "Pa-Pa" to twenty-seven grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.  James will be especially missed by a host of loving nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws and special freinds.  His fishing buddies/friends, Horace Bouvay, Donald "Novie" Johnson and his bestie, Harry "Rap" Brown and the couples crew are certainly going to miss him.  James has been practicing in the Male Chorus for a long time but now he's gonna' really sing in the Heavenly Choir with all his old choir members- Fate, J.B. Willie Lee & Bim.  Now that all you guys are there - I just got one question to ask - How Far Is Heaven and to say, "Heaven Must Be A Mighty Beautiful Place."
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