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James Wylie Eldridge, Jr. was born on April 18, 1936 in Dillwyn, Virginia, to the late James Wylie Eldridge, Sr. and the late Pearl Ethel Eldridge (Anderson). James was the third of four children, Mary Catherine Canon (Eldridge), Clarence Eldridge (Deceased), and Andrew Eldridge. James, who is affectionately known to all as Mickey, a name given to him by his sister Mary, was later changed to Mickey Mouse by his children. James received his formal education in Buckingham County School System and had aspirations of becoming a professional baseball player. He loved to watch Baseball, Football, and Basketball. is favorite sports teams were the Baltimore Orioles and the Ravens. James at the age of 14, along with his lifelong friend, Alphonso Brown, Sr. attended a revival being held in a tent one fall evening and on September 14, 1950, James received the gift of the Holy Ghost.James was also baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. From that day forward he was a dedicated servant of God. After graduating from high school, James moved to New York. He attended a church in New York under the leadership of his cousin the late Bishop Hardy Ford. In 1957 during a Holy Convocation with True Way Church of Christ, James met Joyous D. Medley and three months later in a small ceremony, James and Joyous were joined together on February 23, 1958. James and Joyous were married for 65 years until the untimely passing of Joyous on June 13, 2023. In 1968 after the death of their oldest daughter, Joan M. Eldridge, James moved his family to Baltimore, Maryland. James worked to support his family in various jobs throughout his lifetimes. He worked as an accountant, a laborer at Bethlehem Steele, in shipping at Montgomery Wards part-time, and then a maintenance worker for Baltimore City Public Schools. While with the school system James was given an opportunity to become a certified electrician and in June of 1980 he along with his long time coworker and friend, Maurice Briggs, graduated from that program. James and his family attended the United Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, under the leadership of Bishop James Thornton, Sr. James again served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader and then later being ordained as a Minister and later an Elder. James would drive and pick up many young people who wanted to attend church that didn’t have a way to church weekly. He would coordinate outings with the young people by bringing them to church on Friday evenings and then would take them out to the late night skate in Painters Mills. On one evening while having a young people prayer meeting held in the church, 14 young people received the gift of the Holy Ghost. James remained faithful and diligent to his calling. It was also there that James painted a plaque that read “Why Pretend, When It Cost Nothing to be Real”. Upon hearing God telling him to “Launch Out Into The Deep,” James founded the Solid Rock Temple of Praise, becoming the Pastor. His wife was faithful and joined her husband in showing their love of God. James was an advent student of the Word and loved to share it with all who would listen. He opened the doors of his church and was joined by Elder William Davis who became a copastor along with him in the ministry. James’ faith was tested not too long after that with a diagnosis of cancer. He was given a prognosis of 3 to 6 months to live, but he did not let that stop him. He was strong in his faith, where many would say “Why me,” he said “Why not me?” Giving God the glory and the freedom to show His power and declaring that this sickness was not unto death, but for the glory of God. James lived 25 years after that believing that God had the final say. James was known to have fun and crack jokes. He was a self taught musician, playing the piano, a painter, and man could he cook. He also would make some of the best tasting wine, with banana being one of his popular flavors. He loved his wife and his children, which was evident by the life that he lived and those lives that he impacted. He loved to see people enjoy the things that he created, whether it was a moral painting on the wall, a delicious meal, or the wine, his most fulfillment came from sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that he did. On Monday, June 24, 2024, while at the University of Maryland Medical Center, James was called home to be with the Lord. James peacefully went to rest, joining his wife of 65 years, Joyous Delores Eldridge (Medley). He was also preceded in death by his brother Clarence Eldridge, two daughters, Joan M. Eldridge and Diane Johnson, one son, Carl Johnson, his daughter-in-law, Lesa Johnson, his grandson William E. Jones 3rd (BJ), four brothers-in-laws, Andrew T. Medley., Major Medley, Walter Lawrence, and Morris Salley, five sisters-in-laws, Elisabeth (Medley), Edna Carter, Truephina Lawrence, Doris Medley, Jane Eldridge, cousins, nieces and nephews. James (Mickey Mouse) is survived by his sister, Mary Catherine Cannon, his brother Andrew (wife Estena), one sister-in-law Myrtle Salley, his children, Jeremiah J. Eldridge, Sr. (wife Charlotte), Joyous D. Jones (William ex), James W, Eldridge (Eileen, Danielle exes), Janet Eldridge, Joseph Eldridge, Sr. (wife Tracy), Julia Eldridge (Melvin Chambers ex), Jo-Ann Patterson (Kenneth ex), Genevieva Beasley, Eugene Thomas, Nicole Davis (Mark husband), Deontae Hall, and Melvin Johnson-Eldridge; his grandchildren, Jeremiah, Jr. (Jeanette wife), Keona, Joel (Kenyal wife), Kiaya, Joanice, Joan, James 4th (Erica wife), Joshua (Lindsey wife), Joseph Neal, Shelly, Carl Jr., Jasmine, Brandon, Joseph Andrew, Justin (Aiyana wife), Jacob, Jamil, Morgan, Michael, Jonathan, David, Anthony, Corey, Kyle, Layla, London, Lauren, Lyric, Saniya, Mark Jr., Cameron, Chayse, Dontaye, and Mackenzie, 28 Great Grand children and a host of nieces and nephews.

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Bishop Elect James Wylie Eldridge Jr.

June 24, 2024