Funeral services for Deacon James Leroy Quarles will be at 10 a.m. at St. Rest Baptist Church in Minden on Saturday, Sept 16, 2017 with Pastor Royal Scott officiating.
Burial will follow at Shepherd Street Cemetery in Minden.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at Greater St. Paul Baptist Church.
James Leroy Quarles was born to Mr. Felix and Mrs. Irene Wilson Quarles. He received his elementary training in the Webster Parish Public School System. He confessed his hope in Christ at an early age at New Light Baptist Church under the pastorate of Pastor J. B. Huey.
He served faithfully in the Church Sunday School, annual Easter programs, Baptist Training Union and sand in the Youth Choir. Along with five other young men of the Church; he was a dedicated member of the Melotone Gospel Singers organized by the young men. He graduated from Webster High School in 1957.
He served in the United States Army for a number of years and received an Honorable Discharge. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He united in Holy Matrimony to Miss Magaline Murray and to this union one son was born.
The continuation of his education merited him a Master’s Degree and plus Thirty from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. He was employed by Webster Parish School Board. He was band director at J.A. Phillips for a number of years; later transferred to Minden High School and worked until he retired.
He served as pianist and organist for several churches. He was an organizer and an ordained Deacon of the Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, served as Chairman of the Deacons Ministry, Musician and Choir Director for many years. He directed the Mass Choir for the Late Reverend Dr. Martin L. King Jr.’s Annual Celebration held at the Minden Civic Center for a number of years.
He was so gifted in music until some of his friends started calling him “Maestro”, President of Northwest 14th District
Laymen, First Vice Director of the Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Laymen, member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, WAE, LAE, NEA, President of Northwestern Cattle Association, Coordinator of the Crichton Hill Spring Festival Parade held in the community where he was reared and resided.
He passed away in his home on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 at approximately 10 a.m.
His parents, grandparents, three aunts and five uncles precede him in death.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Magaline Quarles, Minden, one son, Terrence (Myrna “Sha”) Quarles of Cotton Valley,
one brother, Kenneth (Era) Quarles of Minden, one aunt, Mrs Betty Jo (John) Swindell of Minden, four grandchildren, one great-grandchildren, two nieces, three nephews and a number of other relatives and friends.