Gretchen Nicole Davis-James

Gretchen Nicole Davis-James was born on January 3, 1970 and departed this life on October 12, 2026 at Grant Hospital.

Gretchen James was a woman who believed in learning, growing, and creating opportunities for herself. She graduated from Brookhaven High School, completed nail technician school, and attended Columbus State Community College for one year. She also became a certified daycare provider, turning her love for children into a business that allowed her to care for others while building something of her own.

She loved to skate, take family trips, shop, and ball out! She enjoyed traveling, riding motorcycles, watching football and basketball, and, most importantly, spending time chilling with her family. Whether it was a big family gathering, a trip, a celebration, or simply being together, Gretchen treasured those moments.

Gretchen was a woman who knew how to balance hard work with enjoying life. She worked hard, loved deeply, served others, and made room for laughter, dancing, adventure, and family. Her faith guided her, her heart connected her to people, and her personality brought energy into every room she entered.

Gretchen wore many hats throughout her life. She sold Mary Kay and Avon, worked at Victoria's Secret and Victoria Fitness, where she taught aerobics, and gained experience in customer service at Huntington Bank, Rite Rug, and Days Inn. She even drove for Uber. No matter the job, Gretchen was willing to put in the work, learn something new, and keep pushing forward.

She loved God, she loved her family, she loved people, and she knew how to LIVE! Her legacy is not only in what she accomplished, but in the love she gave, the lives she touched, and the beautiful memories she leaves behind.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her father, John Robinson; her father-in-law, Samuel L. James, Sr.; Uncle Sunny; Mr. and Mrs. Louise Ingram; aunt and uncles, Sue-Anna "Sue" Davis; Shirley, Uncle Hurby; and Vickie Hanes.

She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Norma Davis-Odom; husband, Jerome James, Sr.; mother-in-law, Marvia James; sister, Jazmine; her children: Marquise James Sr., Jermaine James, Jerome James, Jr., Mike Jones, Jay James, Jermal James, and Marqueze Simpson; grandchildren: Adoria James, Shaquone Cox- James, Jerome James III, Jamauri James, Marquise James Jr., Caiden Jones, Kourtlyn Jones, Jourdan Thompson, Jayceon James, Sadie James, Jah James, Kairo James, Koi James, Eli James, Kya James, and Josiah King-James and a host of other extended family members and friends.

That is the woman we will remember: a woman whose love was never just a piece, but the whole thing. A woman who stood firm, spoke freely, loved deeply, and left her mark on the hearts of the people fortunate enough to experience her love.