James Walter Colvin was born on September 16, 1926, in Kellerman, AL to Mr. John Sr. and Jenny Mae Colvin. He joined the Army at the age of twenty years old and served honorably for twelve years, completing a tour of duty in World War II while stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After his military career, he worked in the coal mines and other jobs from sun up to sun down before starting his own business, Colvin Rubbish Services where he worked tirelessly and retired from in 1994.

James was preceded in death by his parents John Sr. and Jenny Mae Colvin son, Terry Sanders, grandson, Jamarcus Allen, brothers, Bill William, Sammie, David and Issac Colvin, sisters, Rosie J Burton, Janie M Simmons, Nellie Lewis, Arriam McCail, Pauline McCail, and L Jessie Jackson.

Left to cherish his memories are ex-wife Shirley J Colvin, brother John Colvin Jr., brother-in-law Alex McCail, daughters, Lisa (Craig), Yolanda, Sonya, Tara, Jamella (Willie), Twannette, sons, John Vincent, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces Loretta, Reva, Marilyn, Bernadette, Nellie, Betty; all the nephews and countless friends and acquaintances.