Obituary: James Edward Ware

We Honor the Life and Legacy of James Edward Ware - Selma, Alabama, an exemplary Public Servant, Social Work Administrator, Civic Leader and a Strong Advocate for the least of those, transitioned into Glory at his home on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the age of 80, in the peace of Jesus Christ surrounded by family.

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. James Edward Ware will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Tabernacle Of Praise Church 850 Woodrow Ave, Selma, Alabama. Aubrey Larkin's Lewis Brothers Funeral Home of Selma will be directing. Interment will be at Anniston Memorial Gardens 4000 US-431, Anniston, AL 36206. The body will lie in repose at the church one hour prior to the services. Public visitation will commence Friday October 16, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., and the family will receive friends from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. 

James Edward Ware was born on March 27, 1946 in Anniston, Alabama, to John Edward Ware and Vonnie Marie Ware. He was the seventh child and first son born of the couple's twelve children. 

James is preceded in death by his parents, John Edward and Vonnie Marie Ware; three brothers, Gregory Lamar Ware, Dr. Lawrence Ricardo Ware, and Attorney Charles Jerome Ware; three sisters, Johnnie Sean Ware, Laura Ware Jacobs, JoAnn Ware; and one nephew, Dr. Brian Register. 

James accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Grace Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. P. W. Stephens. He began his education at Grace Lutheran School and later transferred to Cobb Avenue High School where he graduated.  

Upon graduating from Cobb Avenue High School, James attended Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College, now known as Alabama A&M University, where he majored in Political Science and was a member of the varsity basketball team. In 1968, James received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. 

In 1969, James was drafted into the United States Army and was deployed to North Korea. After his deployment, James returned to Anniston where his 38-year career with the State of Alabama commenced with the Alabama Department of Pensions and Security (now known as the Department of Human Resources). While employed with the State of Alabama Department of Pensions and Security, James obtained a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Tennessee in 1976. In 1978, Mr. Ware obtained his Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) credentialing from the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners. As a result of his work ethic and the Favor of the Lord, James was promoted to many leadership positions within the Department of Human Resources, throughout the State of Alabama.

In 1990, Mr. Ware received his Private Independent Practice certification from the Alabama State Board of Social Workers. At the time of his transition, Mr. Ware had been a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Alabama for over 47 years. And in 2011, James’s social work career was recognized by him receiving the honor of being inducted into the State of Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame.  

James’s 40-year legacy while residing in the City of Selma was not only marked by his work at the Dallas County Department of Human Resources. His civic involvement within Selma and across the state was just as monumental. Mr. Ware’s past roles include Member and President of the Selma City School Board, President of the Selma Kiwanis Club, member of the Paul M. Grist YMCA Board, President of the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners, member of the University of Alabama School of Social Work Hall of Fame Board, and Chair for the City of Selma Personnel Board. At the time of James’s transition, he served as the Vice-Chairman of the City of Selma Water Board, President of the Elder Board at Trinity Lutheran Church, and he remained active working as an Absentee Election Inspector with Dallas County.

His lifetime list of past and current board participations over his 50 years of public service is too extensive to fully list. James remained a steadfast advocate for The City of Selma and Dallas County, always believing in the promotion and advancement of those living “high on the banks of the Alabama River.”  

Above all, James was a devoted follower and disciple of Jesus Christ as many who knew him can attest. James was a dedicated, active, faithful, and proud member of Trinity Lutheran Church faithfully fulfilling numerous capacities such as Head Elder and President/Treasurer of the Men’s Organization, to name a few. James was also known for his beautiful tenor voice where he led the Trinity Lutheran Male Chorus for many years. 

James is survived by his beautiful, beloved wife, Alma Chambers-Ware; four children: Retired Circuit Court Judge Kelvin D. Jones (Nashville, Tennessee); Ericka N. Ware (Evans, Georgia); Jenae M. Germain (Pelham, Alabama); Gregory J. Ware (Kaleef) (Atlanta, Georgia); three stepsons: Brandon Parker (Alyssa)(Baltimore, Maryland); Jesse Parrott (Dothan, Alabama); and Joshua Parrott (Selma, Alabama); eight grandchildren: Mariah J. Ware (Evans, Georgia); Sean J. Ware-Young (Evans, Georgia); Kelvin D. Jones, IV (Washington, DC); Alania B. Jones (Nashville, Tennessee); Caleb J. Ware (Evans, Georgia); Juliet I. Germain (Pelham, Alabama); Austin Parker (Baltimore, Maryland) and Makyiah A. Watts (Atlanta, Georgia); one great grandchild: Jabari M. Copes (Atlanta, Georgia); four sisters: Vonnie Fleming (Anniston, Alabama), Julie E. Ware (Anniston, Alabama), Mary Ware-Register (Perry) (Sumter, South Carolina), and Negretta Ware Wilson (Anniston, Alabama); one brother, Schuessler L. Ware (Kim)(Anniston, Alabama); eight nieces: Michele Fleming-Miles (Derrick)(Allen, Texas), Mia Jacobs-Turner (Robert Jr.)(Marion, Alabama), Lucinda Marie Ware (Columbia, Maryland), Kandria Johnson (Anniston, Alabama), Shana Johnson (Anniston, Alabama), Dr. Ashley Marie Ware Wilson (Charlotte, North Carolina), Brittany R. Ware-Cammeron (Jay)(Anniston, Alabama), and Dr. Lawren Brianna Ware-Boggs (Preston) (Madison, Wisconsin); four nephews: Dr. John L. Jacobs, III (Pam) (Gadsden, Alabama), Lucius Vaughan Fleming (Annison, Alabama), Attorney Eric L. Register (Kelly) (Atlanta, Georgia), Ryan S. Ware (Anniston, Alabama); three sisters-in-law: Dr. Anna Jeter-Ware (Gadsden, Alabama),  Lucinda Frances Ware (Columbia, Maryland), Dorothy Polnitz (Orrville, AL); two brothers-in-law: Ray Chambers (Sardis, Alabama), Kenneth (Alma) Chambers (Cincinnati, Ohio); special friends, Jimmy Hughley (Atmore, Alabama) and Bobby (Gloria) Baker; special aunt-in-law, Delia Mosley (Orrville, AL); special great nephew, Kolton Johnson (Anniston, AL) and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.