In Loving Memory of James LaGree Bussey, II, Saturday, May 17, 2014, 11:00 A.M., First A.M.E. Church, 2046 Richard Allen Lane, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30316, The Reverend Dr. Eyvonne H. Whitman, Officiating

IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
Barnes a8ru %ssey, II
Saturday,~ 17, 20
ll:OOA.M.
3u'st ~frican ~tlwdist piscopal
2046 Richard Allen Lane, SE Atlanta, Georgia 30316
The Reverend Dr. Eyvonne H. Whitman, Officiating

Obituary
According to the Divine Plan, one comes on the stage oflife, plays a role, and passes on.
On Monday, May 12, 2014, James LaGree Bussey II, finished his task here on Earth. He answered the call and left behind a legacy of love, humility, and service to his family, church members, friends and community.
On July 6, 1942, James was born to the late James R. Bussey and Florrie Mae Davis. He attended Beacon Elementary School and graduated from Trinity High School in Decatur, Georgia on June 2, 1960. At Trinity, James received the "Perfect Attendance Award" and the "Atlanta Journal Cup Award", as well as being voted "Best All-around Student." He was also President of the student body, Editor-In-Chief of the high school year book and received scholastic honors four consecutive years. Morehouse College accepted James right out of high school and he sang in the Morehouse Glee Club, as a tenor.
James was the oldest of eight children. He was united in holy matrimony on December 28, 1975 to Alice White. God blessed them with three children: Thaddius (Prez), James LaGree III, and Alicia.
James loved God dearly and united at an early age as a member of the Antioch A.M.E. Church on Atlanta Avenue in Decatur, Georgia. At 17, he served as church secretary and his name is engraved on the cornerstone of the church. His service and activities also included serving as a trustee, a steward, a member of the A.G. Baker Choir, the Voices of Atlanta, and the Sanctuary Choir. As a member of First A.M.E. Church, he served as president of the Spiritual Voices and sang tenor with this choir, and was a member of the Sons of Allen and Men' s Choir. His ministry was the floral ministry, where he displayed fresh flowers in the sanctuary every Sunday.
James was a gifted businessman and community advocate. James was inspired to become a businessman while in high school and set up his first business as Bussey Florist in 1962, as a freshman at Morehouse College, becoming the first black FTD florist in Atlanta, Georgia in 1984. His vision was a dream, and that particular dream only; and that particle dream only needed nourishment, which he acquired from being able to go to the right place, the church. He was able to build a business charismatically almost out of people having the belief in him. As such, James was able to help bring various community organizations together to re-invest in the community to create jobs and more businesses. He was co-founder of the Atlanta Philharmonic Chorale, and sponsored other gospel groups such as the Conley Specials and James Hightower and the Gospel Specials. created floraculture classes at Spelman College, created a job bank that hired over 500 people at Samuel L. Jones Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Business and service to the community, were his passion.
He was affiliated and actively participated in these organizations/activities: International Florist Association, Metro Atlanta Florist Delivery Co-op, Samuel Jones Boys and Girls Club, the DeKalb County Council on Aging, the DeKalb County Mental Health Board, and the Atlanta Business League, where he founded the annual event "Super Tuesday" which saluted Black Women Business Owners. He also helped create the first black trade mission hosted by the Atlanta Business League led by Ambassador Andrew Young. James awards and organization accolades includes: The Dekalb County Council of PTA' s, Outstanding Community Service Award, Man of the Year 2004 (First AME Church), Atlanta Business League, Big Vision Awardee (inducted into the Black Business Hall of Fame for Pioneering Entrepreneurial Endeavors); and a resolutions from State Senator Emanuel Jones and Commissioner Emma Darnell. A natural artist, James loved to cook, write moving inspirational poetry, as well as sing. These were also his passions.
He leaves to cherish his memory: a loving wife, Alice White-Bussey; Sons: Thaddius Prez and the late James LaGree Rudolph III; Daughter, Alicia Yvette (Roderick) Lowe; Grandchildren: Thaddius Prez, II, Jamese Rylee Lowe, and Casey Elyse Lowe; Brothers: Kenneth Donald Sr. (Bernice),*Glen Rudolph, and Timothy (Marian); Sisters: Doris Jean (Ronald), Constance Carita (*Jerome), Marilyn Eilene, and Barbara (Ether); Loving uncle of nieces and nephews: *Kenneth Donald Jr. , Natalie Bussey Stubbs, Darius Bussey, Jermica Hunt-Curry, Kenyetta Harvey, Phyllis Harris, Foluke' Williams, Jabari Williams, Jhernee' Hunt Sawyer, and Chante' Harvey; Special loved ones, Aunts: Teresa P. Bussey, Enovia Davis, and Lois L. Slade; Uncle Samuel Long; Sister-in-law, Mary H. Bussey; The Bussey Bussie Family Reunion Group; The Nelson and Davis Families, the White family; and many great nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
*Deceased

Order of Servia
The Reverend Dr, Eyvonne H Whitman, Officiating
Prelude ............................................................................................................................ Musicians Processional ........................................................................................... Clergy, Family & Friends Selection ................................ "How Excellent is Thy Name" ..............FAME Spiritual Voices Prayer ..................................................................................................... Deacon Eddie Lee White Scripture Readings
Old Testament .................................................................................... Reverend Angela Gregg New Testament.................................................................Reverend Dr. Eyvonne H. Whitman Selection .................................................................................................... FAME Spiritual Voices Words ofComfort..................................................................Reverend Ulysses S. Ponder, Pastor
Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Ellenwood Solo.................................................................................................. Deacon Arthur Lewis Rogers Remarks (three minutes please) ........................................ Keith Franklin, FAME Steward Board
Lillie Wilson, FAME Spiritual Voices Rosemary C. Strong, The Bussey Family Reunion Group
Margaret Davie, Atlanta Philharmonic Chorale James Hightower, The Gospel Specials Willie Shepherd and Melvin White United Male Chorus of Ellenwood
Lester Anthony, Lester sand Bussey Florists
Norman Williams, Brother-in-Love Solo..................................................................................................... Evangelist Anthony D. Hill
Raleigh, North Carolina Obituary (read silently) ...................................... Medley ofSongs ..........................Paul Settles Eulogy ............................................................................... The Right Reverend E. Earl McCloud
I 27th Consecrated Bishop, AME Church & Former Pastor ofFAME Acknowledgements ............................................................................... Reverend Jennifer Pigner Benediction
Recessional
Jnterment
Decatur Cemetery Decatur, Georgia
~epast
FellowshiP. Hall of FAME Church

"I had leaders (Parents, Principals, Teachers, Pastors, Deacons) who had a great impact on my education, community services, and entrepreneurial achievements. Those persons included: James and Florrie Bussey, Mrs. Blackmon, Mrs. Moreland, Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Morgan-White, Mrs. Ann Cos, and Dr. TJ Flanagan (Pastor ofAntioch AME Church). The affects of having people over you, that you obeyed and they cared, made me the individual who I am today. "

ORGANIZATIONS
Vice-Chair Bussey Bussie Family Reunion Group
Bussey Florist & Gifts Owner Designer
Salesman Marketer
Buyer
Trailblazer
Community Advocate
Numerous Awards for Community Service
Created Floraculture Classes at Spelman College

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PERFECT ATTENDA CE

Foluke Williams Darrius Bussey Jason Sawyer

Joey Ruffin Jordan Ellis Tony Ellis, Jr.

Ronald Johnson Richard Johnson Calvin Johnson

Emery Morgan Derwin Harris Roger Stubbs

2/onorary 2?a1J fBearers (*Deceased)

Roderick Lowe

Eddie Lee White

Thaddius Bussey, Sr. Thomas H. White

Kenneth Bussey, Sr.

Gary White

Timothy Bussey

Melvin White

Gregory Bussey

Ennis White, Sr.

Ronald Williams Reginald Johnson, Sr.

Norman Williams

0. Curtis White

Robert Strong

Jabari Williams

Graham Hardeman Merrell White Steven White Joseph White Staginald White
T. Wayne Langston H. Adman Robinson
Everett Robinson

Thomas H. White, Jr. Scharodrick Jackson
Scharod Jackson Kenneth D. Bussey, Jr.
D'Andre White Dominic White Brandon White Yasir Wagaar

James Sinkfield Freddie Jackson James L. R. Bussey, III* Glenn Bussey* Kenneth D. Bussey, Jr.* Graham Hardeman

Jhemee' Sawyer Kaiah Curry Joeann Ellis Sandra White
Virginia L. Johnson Linda Johnson

Milicent Winfield Kenyetta Harvey Chante' Harvey
Sonya Jackson TonyaBrown Leslie Flowers

Dedtra Gibson Kia Bell
Phyllis Harris Niyounu "Geri" Long
Sallie White Demita Spencer

Barbara Lawton Tina Gilbert
Donna Morgan Penny Stewart Latonya Derricho Schajuan Jones

2/onorary :Jlower fBearers (*Deceased)

Alicia Bussey-Lowe Bernice Harris Doris Williams

Constance Hunt Marilyn Harvey Barbara Williams

Margaret Jackson Annie Maud Sinkfield
Pearlina Jones*

E. Juanita Robinson Natalie Bussey Rozella Pringle

Yuaketha Mciver Clarissa Whitely
Tracy Allen Lametry McDaniel
Kila Bussey Argia White

~ledgemmts
The family is grateful to our many friends for your prayers, cards, flowers, visits, and every act of kindness shown during the loss of our loved one. We ask a special blessing for each of you. We would also like to extend a special thank you to First AME Church, Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Antioch AME Church, Arrowhead Health Care Center, Emory Dialysis (Candler Road), and Donald Trimble Mortuary
The Family
:Juneral ~anganents entrusted 7o ~~~~
MORTUARY
1876 Second Avenue Decatur, Georgia 30032
(404) 371-0772