JAMES ANDERSON MAKLE, JR.

On August 29, 2020, James Anderson Makle, Jr. peacefully laid down his earthly mantle surrounded by family. He went home to receive his royal crown from his Savior, the One he served so faithfully. 

Son, Sonnyboy, Sonny, Saun, Jimmy, Jim, as he was affectionately called by his family and friends, was born in Malcolm, Maryland, July 27, 1936, as the fourth child of twelve to Marie Elizabeth McPherson-Makle and James Anderson Makle, Sr. 

James graduated from Pomonkey High School in Charles County, Maryland, in 1955. He served our country in the 
United States Army. He retired from the Naval Ordnance Station in Indian Head, MD, and from Memco as a Retail Clerk. As entrepreneurs, James and Ruby had also owned and operated Makle's Catering Services for ten years. 

On February 28, 1956, James married the love of his life Ruby Lucille "Honey" Wilson-Makle. He was a loving and devoted husband for fifty-five years until she transitioned in 2011. From their union, seven children were born: Marilyn Marshall, James, Franklin, Rick (Veronica), Rita Mitchell (Melvin), Vita Makle, and Wendy Jones (Alonzo Sr.). 

In 1973, they extended their family to eight by raising their first grandchild, Michael (Latoya), as their own. 

James accepted Christ at an early age and attended St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bryantown, Maryland until he and Ruby moved to Prince George's County and continued serving the Lord at St. Bernard Catholic Church in 1972. He was a devoted member of the church for forty-nine years. James was the Head Usher and member of Over The Hill Bunch. He volunteered as the President of St. Vincent De Paul, where he proudly provided meals to the Prince George’s County Men's Homeless Shelter. James took pride and joy in ensuring the church tithes and offerings were accurate, down to the penny. He was also active in his community and served as the Block Captain with the Kingswood Civic Association. 

James was a joyful, loving, and caring man who loved spending time with family and friends. He was an inspiration to many. His favorite pastime was yard work, watching westerns, murder mysteries, WWE SmackDown, Jerry Springer, games shows, and playing cards, especially bid-whist and tonk. The family would be remised if we didn't let you know that he was a sore loser. 

James would light up the room with his smile and baritone voice upon entry. “Standing tall and looking good ought to be in Hollywood”—he was always dapper in his appearance with a clean Lincoln Town car to boot. 

James was a manly-man! He loved classic cars and driving fast! Boy—you put him behind the wheel in the driver's seat, and everyone was in his way. James loved everything sports. His favorite football team was the Indianapolis Colts, and his favorite baseball team was the Baltimore Orioles. James was an avid reader, especially The Washington Post and The National Enquirer; he would read them both from front to back. James also enjoyed cooking. Yes, he had 

culinary skills! He loved making his infamous homemade biscuits and a savory pot of beans! 
He is survived by seventeen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, three sisters: Gladys Wade, Charlotte Hemsley and Jerilyn Makle; one brother, Thomas; three brothers-in-law: Elroy Hemsley Sr., Booker Morris and Nathaniel Thomas; five sisters-in-law: Barbara Ivey, Barbara Makle, Marilyn Makle, Helen Thomas and Rachel Wilson; two aunts: Clara Mae Greenfield and Marguerite Wade; and a host of other relatives, and friends. 

James was preceded in death by his father, James Anderson Makle, Sr.; mother, Marie Elizabeth McPherson-Makle; brothers: Franklin, Joseph, William; sisters: Helen Matthews, Ann Datcher, Dorothy Swann, and Mildred Morris. 

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