Nacoma Montez James

You never said I'm leaving, You ever said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why. In life we loved you dearly, In death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place, that no one could ever fill. (Abhishek Bandekar)

Nacoma Montez James, husband, son, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, mentor and friend, was born on October 13, 1977, in Webster County, Mississippi to Miss Ira Dell James. Nacoma was a cute, bubbly bundle of joy.

Nacoma accepted Christ at an early age and joined his family at Mt. Zion Dentontown AME Church in Calhoun City, Mississippi. Nacoma received his early education in the Webster County School District where he played football and graduated from Eupora High School in 1996. He continued his formal education at the University of Mississippi where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics in 2000. 

After graduating college, Nacoma later gained employment with Humphrey's  County High School where  he taught math and was an assistant football coach from 2000 - 2003. He later received a position in the Lafayette County School District in Oxford, Mississippi in 2004. It was at Lafayette when he became a football coach, serving as an assistant coach, that he became known as the mighty "Coach James." He was one of the longest tenured coaches at Lafayette High School. He served as head boys basketball coach from 2012-2015, and recently began assisting the girls powerlifting team.  Coach James loved his students. He has also been an assistant football coach serving as special teams coordinator. He was an integral part of Lafayette's three football championships.

Coach James met, fell in love, and married his beautiful wife, Laticia Mayes, on June 11, 2016. It was that mischievous, big smile that grabbed her attention. The couple became a family, and he joined the Springfield M.B. Church, in Abbeville, Mississippi, under the leadership of Pastor Jerry Malone where they continued to serve. 

Coach James was a jolly man. He was full of laughter and loved being among friends and family. He was a very social guy and a man of bowtie charm. No one could wear a bowtie like Coach James. He was also an avid San Francisco 49er's fan and a die hard, Commodore supporter.

Coach James had a believing spirit. Regardless of the circumstances, he would say, "Everything, is going to be alright." And on Thursday morning, August 6, 2020, at his home, alright may not have been our desire for "ALRIGHT," but God said, "TOUCH DOWN! Everything IS, Alright, Now come on home young coach," and he walked into the end zone.

Coach James will forever be loved and remembered by his loving wife: Laticia Mayes James of Oxford MS; his mother: Ira Dell James of Eupora MS; daughters: Alexandria Mayes and Gracie Pearson both of Oxford MS; Tiana Howard, Vanessa Howard and Asia Howard, all of Belzonia MS; sisters: Kenya James and Jamelle James both of Eupora MS;  brothers: Javier (Melanie) Blakely of Virginia Beach VA, Will (Itzel) Dearing, and Dorian Griffin both of Southaven MS, Daniel Dillion of Jackson MS, Tyrone (Karen) Harbin of Grenada MS and Jerome (Brigette) Witherspoon of Tupelo MS; and a special niece: Destinee Johnson of Eupora MS; his father and mother-in-law: Michael and Shirley Jackson of  Millington TN and his God daughter: Kailee Woodard of Olive Branch MS. Coach James also leave cherished memories to his Lafayette High School Coaches, football team, and school staff, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends

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