James Henry Gladney was born November 20, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas to the union of Marcellious Gladney and Julia B. (Lenoir) Gladney. He was the second of six children. His parents preceded him in death. James graduated from Washington High School in 1969. He accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized by Pastor Hubert C. Eason at First Baptist Church-Quindaro.

James served in the United States Army. He married Nancy Byars and had one daughter, Tanjernica, who along with her son, Michael, preceded him in death. Later he met and married Ethel Thompson and to this union two daughters, Whitney and Danielle, were born.

James loved to shoot pool and was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. He departed this life March 23, 2022 at Gulfport Memorial Hospital, Gulfport, MS.

He leaves to cherish his memory, two daughters, Whitney (Emery) Conway of Belton, TX and Danielle Gladney of Waveland, MS; one brother, Jerry Gladney of Leavenworth, KS; four sisters: Jeannetta Edwards, Desert Hot Springs, CA, Marcella Lee, Kansas City, MO, Lynda Swift, West Point, MS., and Deborah Elaine Gladney-Sherron, Oakland, CA; eight grandchildren: Toshanica (JaQuan) Jenkins, Greenville, MS; Kevin (Sherrick Sade) Gladney, Greenville, MS; Kylan Gladney, Kaleb Gladney, Kayla Gladney, Eva Conway, and Eric Conway of Belton, MS., and Kash A. Gladney, Waveland, MS.; six great grandchildren: Makayla Rodgers, Kevin Jr., Karter, and Kassidi Gladney, Jenesis and Jace Jenkins, all of Greenville, MS.; a life partner, Sandra Corley; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and others relatives and friends