March 13, 1939-Nov. 6, 2021

On Nov. 6, 2021, Sister Lola Bell Rigmaiden James departed her earthly life to begin her everlasting life with her Lord and Savior. Lola was born on March 13, 1939, in the home of her grandparents to the Late Reverend Joshua and Norine Fowler Rigmaiden in Weirgate, Texas.   She was reared in the Mossville Community where she learned to work and worship beside her parents. Lola attended and graduated from Mossville High School in 1958. She then continued her studies and graduated from McNeese State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education. Even at an early age, she loved to entertain and was a pastry chef in her younger days at PPG cafeteria. Lola married Jessie James in 1960 and to their union 2 children were born, Joshua and Jacqueline. Lola loved the Mossville community and raised her family there.  She was adamant that there be Sunday Dinner and that is was fully prepared before attending church. 

She began her 1st teaching job at Vinton Elementary and remained there for 17 years, bringing her children with her to get their education. The remainder of her 37 years of service to education were spent at Mossville Junior High until 1984 and retiring from Combre Fondel Elementary. She loved being an educator and would beat the janitors to the building every morning.  She had her own keys. She took pride in arriving on time to plan for her day and to be sure that she greeted her students every morning. She hated bus duty and would make deals with the other teachers to take her place.  When she married her husband, he was a partner in what was then “Colored Funeral Home”. When licensure became mandatory, she obtained her Funeral Directors’ license and in 1959, they became the sole owners to what is now “James Funeral Home” that has been in existence for over 60 years in Lake Charles. Lola served her community with pride, dignity and unprecedented charity. She taught her students by day, worked with and comforted families in the evenings to provide a compassionate funeral service, and was home to be a mother and wife every night. Adding to her dedication to the community, she and her husband sold Purple Shield insurance policies for 27 years. Again, all done with Josh and Jackie by her side.  She took pride in her appearance and was known for working with her heels on all day…every day. Lola touched every community in Calcasieu Parish through her many talents, commitments and dedication to service.  She was reared Christ Sanctified Holiness Church alongside her parents and was filled with the Holy Spirit.  She remained COGIC until she joined Mossville Truth Tabernacle under the leadership of Pastor Lionel J. & First Lady Mary Thierry until her passing. She was passionate about serving the Lord and dedicated to her church and leadership.

Lola was a dedicated member of the Mossville Social and Civic Club for several years until her health declined. She took pride in the sisterhood that they had and enjoyed the community service and fellowship. She was instrumental in and a member of the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association, The National Funeral Directors Association and The National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. She has received numerous awards and recognitions in all of her fields throughout the years. 

Lola was a kind and gentle woman. She loved her family and lived and exemplary life of hard work, dedication, honesty, love and sacrifice.  She adored her children and grandchildren and was present and active in their lives.  Her spirit was contagious.  She has impacted the lives of many.  She was loved and will be missed. 

Left to cherish her memories, is her only sister, Della Ann Rigmaiden Dotson, her two children, Joshua James and Jacqueline James Green, 6 grandchildren, Korea Stewart, Brianni Phelps, Sedric Green Jr., Jerome Murray Jr. Bralyn James and Alexius Green; 6 great grandchildren; Nieces,  Carolyn Faye Martin; Deidre Dotson Foley; Nephew, David Dotson; God daughter, Rosalind Gasaway Berry; Best Friend and Travel Partner, Yvonne Chachere and her Office Manager, Embalmer, Fellow Funeral Director and Bonus Daughter whom she dearly loved, Rhonda King Frank. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Reverend Joshua & Norine Rigmaiden, Husband, Jessie James; Brother, Reverend Carl Rigmaiden, Brother-in-Law, Dave Dotson; and Nephew, Carl Ray Rigmaiden. 

Her motto was “Service for all, Within the Means of all”.  And she lived by that standard.  Although we have lost our jewel, James Funeral Home will continue to honor her legacy by fulfilling her motto. 

Please join us to celebrate her life on Sunday, Nov. 14t, 2021, at Word of Hope Baptist Church, 3975 East Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles, LA 70615. 

Viewing from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Funeral Service will begin at 3 p.m. – Pastor Lionel J. Thierry. Burial will be Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at Morning Star Cemetery – Mossville, La., 10 a.m.