Statement from the Family

Gabriel Jackson Jabari James, born on March 1, 2001, died as the result of a single-car collision on May 22, 2023.  He was on his way back to Greensboro, NC where he was a senior Engineering student at North Carolina A&T State University. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The crash happened in Hurt, Virginia. Gabriel was flown by helicopter to the Carilion Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia for treatment.

Despite the best efforts of the amazing staff at the Carilion Memorial Hospital Gabriel passed at 10:13 p.m. that night.

Needless to say, our family is devastated. Gabriel was the best of all of us. He was the best friend and the best comforter. He had the best smile, the best attitude, the best work ethic, the best level of enthusiasm for life. He was so good at encouraging others, and inspiring others as well.

He was  devoted to his lovley fiance - Liana Slade, who was with me by his side in the hospital on Monday night when he went home to be with the Lord.

Gabriel was a leader in all his spheres of influence, and it was just natural to him. It was who he was.

In high school he was a basketball player and a captain of the basketball team. He was a great basketball coach too -- he did that in high school and then in college as an intramural basketball coach.

He crossed the burning sands of Omega Psi Phi just this Spring 2023 and had already begun serving as the Chaplain of the chapter (leading prayer at chapter meetings). He was a US Army Reservist, a top ROTC cadet of the NC A&T Aggie Battalion, and the president of the Society of Pershing Rifles (a prestigious military fraternity that Gabriel recently re-chartered at NC A&T).

Gabriel loved gospel music. He loved to dance (and was a very good dancer). He loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. He loved to play basketball, lift weights and exercise. (He would make up the craziest gym routines - some of you may have seen them - Peter/Josh probably did). He loved family game nights. He would host game nights at school as well. He loved spending time talking to friends and family. He loved spending high quality time with people. He was fearless, and rebellious, and kind, and strong, and faithful, and faith-filled.

Nobody could ask for a better friend. He was an amazing big brother to Jordan and amazing little brother to Alex. (The three of them would sing together in the house all of the time). He loved to cook - and would call his Granny or his Big Momma, or his aunts or his mother, Faith, to ask how to cook this meal or that.

He was such a loving son to Faith. He loved her so much. He made a special trip home a couple of weeks ago just so he could give Faith a balloon, and a card, and tell her how much he loved her before she left to go out of town.

We were and are so proud of him, and the amazing life he lived.

The James family appreciates your gifts of food and snacks. They ask that you use the sign-up link below to schedule a food delivery and that the food delivery schedule be honored, simply to avoid receiving more food than they can properly manage. In lieu of flowers, the family is honored to receive monetary donations (which may be submitted through the Meal Train link or mailed to "Chidi James Family, c/o Brenda Ramirez, Blankingship & Keith P.C., 4020 University Drive #300, Fairfax, VA 22030"), which may offset some costs and will otherwise be used to help fund scholarships in Gabriel's honor.  A separate go-fund-me account will be established shortly to receive funds earmarked specifically to provide scholarships to Battlefield High School Students who plan to attend Gabriel's alma mater – North Carolina A&T State University.

The family will host a game night on June 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at their home in Haymarket, Virginia.  The Home Going Services will be held on June 10 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church -- 2516 Squirrel Hill Rd. in Herndon, VA (10:00 a.m. viewing / 11:00 a.m. service).

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW TO SIGN-UP FOR:

Home Visits: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e49a9ae2dabf5c61-incelebration#/

Meal Train and/or Donations: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/r213ol