Willie James Pressley, Jr was born May 9, 1930 in Nesmith, South Carolina and entered into eternal rest on July 19, 2021 at Pruitt Health-Blythewood in Columbia, South Carolina.
James, affectionately known as “Jimmy”, was the youngest child born to the late Willie James and Susan Pressley.
At an early age, Jimmy accepted Christ and was baptized at Friendship United Methodist Church in Nesmith, South Carolina. He was educated in the public schools of Williamsburg County in Williamsburg, South Carolina. After tending to the farm became too tedious, in 1944 he relocated his mother, special needs brother and niece to New York City to be with other family members.
After arriving in New York, Jimmy worked as a custodian at Radio City Music Hall until he passed the New York City Civil Service exam and began working as an Elevator Technician at Elmhurst General Hospital in Queens, New York. He was employed there for 30 years until he retired in 1985.
James was married to the love of his life, the late Hiawatha “Pat” Counts-Pressley for over 40 years. He enjoyed hosting parties, barbeques, music, playing cards and spending time with his friends and family.
In 1988, Jimmy and Pat relocated to Denmark, South Carolina to help care for his ailing in-laws. During this time, he became a member of the Union Baptist Church in Bamberg, South Carolina where he worshipped until he moved to Columbia, South Carolina.
James was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two grandchildren and his eight siblings: Emma, Anna, Evelyn, Lessie, Peter, Lewis, Edward and Thomas.
James leaves fond and loving memories to be cherished by his daughters, Patricia Johnson of Bronx, NY, Donna Counts and Sybil (Elder James) Bush both of Columbia, SC; one son, Robert (Marie) Bush of Simpsonville, SC; one special god-daughter, Gail Barker of Barnwell, SC; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Thelma (Junior) Isaac and Annie Andrews both of Brooklyn, NY, Lillian Counts of Bronx, NY and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
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