Margaret Elizabeth James, PH.D.

Margaret Elizabeth James, PH.D. was born January 26, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York. She died August 25th, 2021 in Memphis, TN. She was the daughter of James Lewis and Margaret Owens. As a bright student she graduated from Randolph H.S. in Brooklyn, NY, in 1967. earned a B.A. from Lane College, in 1957 and a Master of Arts from Fisk University in 1971. A second Masters degree in Medical Sociology from Columbia University, and a PH.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1998 capped her professional training.

For over 31 years her professional career was spent with Lemoyne -Owen College where she served under five presidents as Sociology professor. In the middle of her career, she became Chair of the Division of Social & Behavior Sciences. During her tenure, Dr. James provided leadership for the transformation of the Criminal Justice major the last discipline added to the department’s programs, She retired from the college in 2010.

Her life long interest in education carried her to many venues and professional conferences. She held memberships in her national professional organization and in Delta Sigma Theta Society, Inc. She is survived by a sister, Geraldine Lewis and a sister-in-law, Thelma Rhames and is lovingly remember by many other relatives, friends and former students.

Those wishing to make memorial gifts in her honor may send them to Lemoyne-owen College Office of Institutional Advancement at, 807 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126