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HomeCommunityDeathsHelen V. James Yasper Dies at 80

Helen V. James Yasper Dies at 80

Helen V. James Yasper died on March 25.
Helen Virginia James Ford Yasper, born Sept. 28, 1934, was the fifth child of Henry and Frances James (deceased). She was born 0n St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and at age eight, she moved to the Bronx, New York. Helen was married to James Ford (deceased) and had three children: Maurice, Marlene and Monique. Her second marriage, to Casper Yasper, produced one child, Michelle.
Helen completed her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Queens College in Queens, New York, in 1973. Her desire to teach in the Virgin Islands brought her to Alfredo Andrews School on St. Croix in 1973. Helen received Christ in 1974 at the Calvary Baptist Church, St. Croix. In 1980, she left public school and became an integral member of the Calvary Christian Academy, serving as an administrator, a teacher and later the principal. Helen learned and taught sign language, which was a special part of her ministry. Helen later worked with several parochial schools on St. Croix and in New York. In 2006, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and began teaching at Bible Baptist Academy with Dianne George, the principal and longtime friend. She became a member of Bible Baptist Church under Pastor Beniot George.
Four brothers: Henry James, Harold James, Herman James and Hilario James, predecease her. She is survived by siblings: Henrita Carrington, Herbert James (Christine), Halvor James (Geraldine) and Hulbert James (Carol Ann); sister-in-laws: Norma James, Marie James and Laura James; children: Maurice H. Ford, (Felicia), Marlene F. Smith, Monique A Miller, (Stephen) and Michelle Y. Horne; grandchildren: Sabrina McKnight, Willette Ford, Wilhem Ford, Jasmine Yasper, Jermeil Horne and Elijah Ford; great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; uncle, Hugh V James; aunt, Sarah Powell James; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and church family.
A wake will be held on Tuesday, March 31, and a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 1, under the loving care of Marion Graham Mortuaries in Jacksonville, Fla.
In lieu flowers, the family requests donations to go towards scholarships at the school where she worked until her illness: Bible Baptist Academy Scholarships. Cards and donations may be made to: Bible Baptist Church, 3134 Trout River Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32208 (Phone: 904-765-5111)
 

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