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Barbara Jean James, 85, was born in Birmingham, Alabama on March 27, 1940, to Ervin Lee Broxton Sr. and Anna Mae Broxton. Barbara departed this life on August 8, 2025. Barbara graduated from South Side High School in Newark, NJ, in 1958. She received her associates degree from Essex County College in Newark, NJ. Barbara worked for the Essex County Sheriff’s Department in Newark, NJ. During her career in law enforcement, she worked as a Corrections Officer, Sheriff Deputy, and a Detective in the Extradition Unit and DEA Task Force.

In 1994, she married her childhood crush Thomas James in New Jersey and moved to Dayton, OH. A few of Barbara’s favorite things to do were working with Meals on Wheels, teaching Vacation Bible School, and singing with the Sisters In Christ Chorale.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin Lee Sr. and Anna Mae Broxton, brothers Lamar Broxton and Ervin Broxton Jr., stepson Steven James Sr., grandson Steven James Jr., best friend Martha McDonald, and her fur baby Tiger.

Barbara leaves to cherish her memories, her husband Thomas James, her children Monica (Dennis) Winn and Michael Middleton, from her union with Feldman Middleton Jr. Her stepchildren Thomas James Jr., Robyn (Kevin) Wilks, and Sharon James. A host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, her best friend Willie Ruth Foster and her 4-legged baby Peppi.