Choir Director, Teacher R. Lee James Dies At 45
Times Picayune 11-26-1996

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Ronald Lee James, a music teacher and choir director, died Wednesday of a
heart attack at Pendleton Memorial Methodist Hospital. He was 45.

Mr. James taught at Alcee Fortier High School, St. Philip the Apostle School
and Wicker, Edison and Bauduit elementary schools.

He also was the minister of music at Austerlitz Street Baptist Church, founder
and director of the R. Lee James Chorale, director of the Zulu Ensemble,
chaplain and a board member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, director
and accompanist of the Thurston G. Frazier Memorial Chorale, and assistant
musical director for the National Baptist Convention.

Mr. James was a lifelong resident of New Orleans. He graduated from McDonogh
No. 35 High School and Xavier University, received a master's degree in music
from Loyola University and did further studies at the University of Southern
Mississippi.

He was a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, the Music Education
National Conference, the Choral Directors of America, the National Association
of Musicians, the Black Pearls of Southern University Christ Elite Chorale,
the New Orleans Society of Musicians, the B-Sharp Music Club, the Prince Hall
Scottish Rites Petty Delight No. 50, Order of Eastern Star and the Sunbeam
Junior Masons.

He also was minister of music at St. James Methodist Church of Louisiana,
Pentecost Baptist Church, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and St. Philip
the Apostle Catholic Church.

He assisted in the music departments of many other local churches and played
the organ at Xavier University.

He is survived by his companion, Evelyn Harrell.

A wake will be held Friday at Austerlitz Street Baptist Church, 819 Austerlitz
St. Visitation will be at 3 p.m., followed by a musical tribute at 7 p.m. A
funeral will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the church, followed by a jazz
funeral under the auspices of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Burial
will be in Providence Memorial Park. D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home is in charge of
arrangements.