Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21

Mr. James Cornealius Briggs, Sr., a husband, father, artist, and servant of
God was born March 8, 1941, to Odessa and Howard Briggs, Sr., in Edwards, Mississippi.

In 1943, the Briggs family relocated to Champagne, Illinois, where James spent his childhood. In 1960, James
made a life-changing decision to relocate to Flint, Michigan, landing James in a state where he would not
only find his career and passion for art but eventually the love of his life.

Champagne, Illinois, is where he attended grade school and graduated from high school.
James' career at Fisher Body began in 1964. He spent 30 years serving, leading, and mentoring others while
there until he retired in 1994.
His life changed for the better on April 18, 1974, when he met the lady that stole his heart. He later married
his "Honey," Terry Lynn, as he affectionately called her. This precious union of 49 years gifted the world four
children and 22 grandchildren.
Two years later, in 1976, James made another major decision that would impact his life for the greater – he
joined Gethsemane Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend B.T. Anderson, making Jesus his Lord
and Savior. It was from there that he and his Honey would serve God and His people together. His love for his
church and God were evident in his serving. From driving the church van for five years to leading the Trustee
Board, to directing the male chorus for eight years, to singing songs with his son, Jahmonze, he lived his life
all for the glory of God.
During his leisure time, James took time to fine-tune one of his gifts, art. He was a great artist, drawing pictures
that are still displayed in Gethsemane Baptist and Christ Fellowship Churches in Illinois.

James and his Honey made a lifetime move to Louisiana in 2006, settling in to enjoy life, family, and retirement.
This brought great happiness to him, as he was a true family man that loved his family immensely.

On July 7, 2023, this good and faithful servant, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, answered the call to
eternal life with his Heavenly Father. Preceding him in death were: his mother, Odessa Briggs; father, Howard
Briggs, Sr.; brothers, Howard Briggs, Jr., Luther Briggs, and Ozzie Briggs; daughter, Michele Briggs; grandson,
Cornell Briggs, Jr.; and granddaughters, Nila Ali Briggs and Danasha Briggs.

His precious memories will forever be cherished by: his loving, caring wife of 49 years, Mrs. Terry Lynn
"Honey" Briggs; daughter, Aquailla Briggs; sons, Cornell Briggs, Jahmonze Briggs, Jeremiah Briggs, and
James Briggs, Jr.; grandchildren, Daquarel Briggs, Lawrence Bledson, Glorilynn Briggs, Tyshell Sparks, Kiasha
Briggs, Jatayaha Briggs, Uriah Aubrey, Josiah Aubrey, Jaquavion Aubrey, Isaiah Aubrey, Adrinna Briggs,
Camron Briggs, Zanya Briggs, Iyanna Briggs, Serenity Briggs, Cornell Briggs III, and Jahleel Briggs; greatgrandchildren, Lawrence Bledson, Jr., Jemari McCoy, and Kaleb Williams; goddaughters, Felicia Lewis, Tara
Fisher, Monique Jones, Debra Gray, and Tonya Banks; sisters, Betty Henderson, Thelma Taylor, Catherine
Martin, and Mildred Bell-Baldon; brothers, Rashid Briggs, "The Sheriff of Shreveport, LA", Edward Briggs,
and Charlie Briggs; uncle, John Gipson "BoJack"; sisters-in-law, Hedy Girl Snelson, Dentrice Jones, Romona
Gant, Barbara Holmes, Loretta Gant, Olivia Young, Demetrice Hamilton, and Gwen Preston; brothers-in-law,
Bernard Gant, Oliver Holmes, Phillip Young, and Darryl Gant; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.