James Arthur Sills

Rev. James Arthur Sills was born May 4, 1937, to Joseph Sills and Jessie B. Sills in Friars Point, MS. on John McGhee Plantation.  He was raised by his father and stepmother, Stella Sills, along with his sisters, Princie and Gracie.

He professed hope in Christ at the age of eleven on a Wednesday, at 1:30 p.m. at Beautiful Zion Church during a two-week revival.   Along with his sister, Princie, he was baptized on the first Sunday in September 1948 in Moon Lake, Moon Lake, Mississippi. 

Not long after graduating from High School, he moved to Memphis, TN, and joined New Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Dave Bonds.

James loved to bake. His passion for baking inspired him to open a bakery in Memphis on McLemore Street for a short time.  During this time, the Lord called him to preach which resulted in him closing the bakery and following God’s plan for his life.

Once he was ordained as a minister, he later became the Pastor at the following Churches: Cherry Street Baptist Church in Como, MS; Greater Centennial Baptist Church in Clarksdale, MS; New Centennial Baptist Church, Clarksdale, MS; King David #1 Baptist Church, Vicksburg, MS; Zion Travels Baptist Church, Vicksburg, MS and Kindling Altar Baptist Church, Greenville, MS. Pastor Sills participated faithfully in the National Baptist Convention and Sunday School Convention and BTU (Baptist Training Union).  He remained the Pastor at New Centennial in Clarksdale and Kindling Altar until the Lord called him home on Monday, March 4, 2024.

Pastor Sills was also the Sheriff of Renova, MS for several years and was active throughout the church and local communities.  Along with his passion for baking, he also loved to grill and cook.  He loved wearing cowboy hats and boots; he was an avid owner of Cadillacs and loved riding his bicycle every morning. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Arthur Sills, Jessie B. Sills, stepmother, Stella Sills; four sisters, Pearly Mae Elliot, Princie Lee Sterling, Gracie B. Hill, and Doris Ahmad; two sons, James Arthur Sills III, and Ervin Donte Lackey.  He leaves to cherish his memories of one sister, Clara Deal of Maryland.  Six daughters; Beverly Sills, Carolyn Sills, Carmela Sills, LaKesha Towns, Jennifer Stewart, and Erica Lackey. He also leaves three sons, Eliot Wayne Sills, Ira Bernard Sills (Valerie), Jamien Sills (Keesh); ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; godsons, Kelvin Fair, Rev. Dexter Brown; grand godsons Yumir and Yuri James; one goddaughter, Yashica James, and a host of family and friends, the New Centennial Baptist Church and Kindling Alter M. B. Church family.