James Dennis, Sr.

On the morning of August 22, 2022, at 8:17 am, surrounded by his loving wife, Ida Bell Dennis, and niece, Erica Wilson McDaniel. God sent his angel to deliver James Dennis, Sr. to eternal rest. He was a native of Garden City, Louisiana, and a resident of Franklin, Louisiana.

On October 27, 1943, Myrtle Lee Digges Dennis and Benjamin Dennis, Sr. were blessed with a handsome baby boy named James Dennis. Being nurtured in a loving, God-Fearing home, James attended Free Will Baptist Church  #1 in Kramer,  LA.

As a young man, he attended Franklin Negro High, where he was an avid softball player. He later joined his adult team, GTs, coached by Israel (Big Joe) Washington, and Avondale Rookies, coached by Andrew Johnson.

Due to financial needs of that time and his love for his family, James chose to transition from his academic pursuit and join the workforce to assist his parents.

Early in his life, he met and married his first wife, Louise Rollins. To this union, four children were born.

As a master welder, James honed his skills at Avondale Shipyard before spending the rest of his career at J. Ray McDermott. As a supervisor, he spent thirty-plus years training and mentoring other aspiring welders until he retired.

James, affectionately known as "Supper" to many and "Gatorman" to others, was known as a hard-working man who friends and family loved. He was an avid, diehard Dallas Cowboys fan.

After years of friendship, he devoted his love to his 2 ^nd wife, Ida Mae Bell, and their loving son was born shortly after, James and his wife Ida spent 46 years of life together. Staying true to their marital vow, "Till death do us part," Ida held his hand as he took his last breath.

On the morning of August 22, 2022, at 8:17 am, surrounded by his loving wife, Ida Bell Dennis, and niece, Erica Wilson McDaniel. God sent his angel to deliver James Dennis, Sr. to eternal rest. He was a native of Garden City, Louisiana, and a resident of Franklin, Louisiana.

On October 27, 1943, Myrtle Lee Digges Dennis and Benjamin Dennis, Sr. were blessed with a handsome baby boy named James Dennis. Being nurtured in a loving, God-Fearing home, James attended Free Will Baptist Church  #1 in Kramer,  LA.

As a young man, he attended Franklin Negro High, where he was an avid softball player. He later joined his adult team, GTs, coached by Israel (Big Joe) Washington, and Avondale Rookies, coached by Andrew Johnson.

Due to financial needs of that time and his love for his family, James chose to transition from his academic pursuit and join the workforce to assist his parents.

Early in his life, he met and married his first wife, Louise Rollins. To this union, four children were born.

As a master welder, James honed his skills at Avondale Shipyard before spending the rest of his career at J. Ray McDermott. As a supervisor, he spent thirty-plus years training and mentoring other aspiring welders until he retired.

James, affectionately known as "Supper" to many and "Gatorman" to others, was known as a hard-working man who friends and family loved. He was an avid, diehard Dallas Cowboys fan.

After years of friendship, he devoted his love to his 2 ^nd wife, Ida Mae Bell, and their loving son was born shortly after. James and his wife Ida spent 46 years of life together. Staying true to their marital vow, "Till death do us part," Ida held his hand as he took his last breath.

James' life, love, and legacy will forever remain in the hearts of his devoted wife Ida Bell Dennis, of Franklin, Louisiana. Five daughters, Antoinette (Robert) Delasbour, Shontelle Thomas, Shontell Hamilton, Evangelist Crystal Bell, and Tamika Francis. Eight sons, Anthony (Londi) Dennis, Sr., James (Jolene ) Dennis, Jr., Esmond Simmons, Vincent Thomas, Jason Thomas, Troy Bell, Cory (Michelle ) Dennis, and Henry Bias. Three sisters, Geraldine Swanson, Doris Dennis Coleman, and Linda Faye Davis. Four brothers, Benjamin (Ellen) Dennis, Jr., William (Christine) Dennis, Leroy Dennis, Sr., and Henry (Veronica) Dennis, Sr. One uncle, Herman (Geraldine) Phillips. Two devoted nieces, Horatia (Raychel) Wilson, and Leslie Wilson.  'Supper' will always hold a special place in the hearts of his lifelong friends: Joseph (Tatoo) Freemen. Nolan Chatman, Oswald (Heed) Rollins, Lewis Darby, Becky Landry, George Gray, Joseph Grey, Mary Carr, and John (LeDah) Maddison. In addition, his Butler's Food-A- Rama family, Mr. D's ( Truck Stop) family, J. Ray McDermott's family, and his Friday Night Card Club family. Seven sisters-in-law, Caldonia Bell, Willie Mae Bell, Elizabeth (Willis) Jenkins, Lorna Bell Butler, Denise ( Melvin) Prevot, Error Lee Whitehead, and Stacy Antoine. Two Godchildren, Daisy Jennings and Selena Mitchell. Seventy-five grandchildren, sixty-seven great-grandchildren, and a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who he leaves in God's care.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Myrtle Diggs Dennis. His mother and father-in-law, Willie and Ernestine Bray Bell. One sister, Myrtle Mae, and her husband, Hermon (Lightening) Wilson. One brother, Ovesta Dennis. Two grandchildren, Anthony Dennis, Jr., and Delensa Mariah Simmons. Two aunts, Bessie (Willie) Diggs Babino and Mable (Wilfred) Diggs Alexander. Four uncles, Johnny (Edna Mae) Diggs, Albert (Gloria) Diggs, Frank ( Martha) Diggs, and Herbert (Mary) Diggs. Three brothers-in-law, Dewitt Collins, Clifton Antoine, and Fred Butler.

James' life, love, and legacy will forever remain in the hearts of his devoted wife Ida Bell Dennis, of Franklin, Louisiana. Five daughters, Antoinette (Robert) Delasbour, Shontelle Thomas, Shontell Hamilton, Evangelist Crystal Bell, and Tamika Francis. Eight sons, Anthony (Londi) Dennis, Sr., James (Jolene ) Dennis, Jr., Esmond Simmons, Vincent Thomas, Jason Thomas, Troy Bell, Cory (Michelle ) Dennis, and Henry Bias. Three sisters, Geraldine Swanson, Doris Dennis Coleman, and Linda Faye Davis. Four brothers, Benjamin (Ellen) Dennis, Jr., William (Christine) Dennis, Leroy Dennis, Sr., and Henry (Veronica) Dennis, Sr. One uncle, Herman (Geraldine) Phillips. Two devoted nieces, Horatia (Raychel) Wilson, and Leslie Wilson.  'Supper' will always hold a special place in the hearts of his lifelong friends: Joseph (Tatoo) Freemen. Nolan Chatman, Oswald (Heed) Rollins, Lewis Darby, Becky Landry, George Gray, Joseph Grey, Mary Carr, and John (LeDah) Maddison. In addition, his Butler's Food-A- Rama family, Mr. D's ( Truck Stop) family, J. Ray McDermott's family, and his Friday Night Card Club family. Seven sisters-in-law, Caldonia Bell, Willie Mae Bell, Elizabeth (Willis) Jenkins, Lorna Bell Butler, Denise ( Melvin) Prevot, Error Lee Whitehead, and Stacy Antoine. Two Godchildren, Daisy Jennings and Selena Mitchell. Seventy-five grandchildren, sixty-seven great-grandchildren, and a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who he leaves in God's care.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Myrtle Diggs Dennis. His mother and father-in-law, Willie and Ernestine Bray Bell. One sister, Myrtle Mae, and her husband, Hermon (Lightening) Wilson. One brother, Ovesta Dennis. Two grandchildren, Anthony Dennis, Jr., and Delensa Mariah Simmons. Two aunts, Bessie (Willie) Diggs Babino and Mable (Wilfred) Diggs Alexander. Four uncles, Johnny (Edna Mae) Diggs, Albert (Gloria) Diggs, Frank ( Martha) Diggs, and Herbert (Mary) Diggs. Three brothers-in-law, Dewitt Collins, Clifton Antoine, and Fred Butler.

Final arrangements have been entrusted by MK Dixon Funeral Home, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, LA 70514.