"James Emerson Dennis"

James Emerson Dennis,  Jr. was born on October 15, 1935,  to Rev. James Emerson and Hester Lee Dennis in Hammond, TX .  Rev. Dennis moved the family to Brenham in 1947 where  James was affectionately known as " Junior" throughout his lifetime by his Brenham family and "Bossman" by many of his Pickard High School football buddies.  Junior credits this Brenham community for inspiring him to become what his family describes as a  360° man who loved his God, his family, his church and his people.  Throughout his Air Force service, college, and 35 years as a professor at California State University, Northridge, California, he  always dreamed of returning to his childhood hometown.  That dream came true in 2006 when he moved back to Brenham and reunited with Mt. Rose Missionary Baptist Church.

His children remember him always serving at Calvary Baptist Church of Pacoima, singing in the choir, carrying tables and chairs, serving as trustee, chairman of the board, finance chairperson and most recently as deacon at the Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church.  He has left a lifetime image with them of him kneeling down on the side of the bed praying at night. James Dennis loved the Lord and was the spiritual leader of his household from March 30, 1969 (when the confirmed bachelor married Helen) until he lovingly joined our Heavenly Father in eternity on Sunday, December 5, 2021 with her sleeping at his feet.

James's daughter describes him as "such a peaceful man, even in anger he was composed and could easily bring the focus back to the real issue, his love for the people." In 1961, this peaceful man was so disturbed by lack of Civil Rights for African Amerians he became a "Freedom Rider,"and travelled to Jackson, Mississippi where he was arrested and charged with "breach of peace."   He spent nearly forty days in Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman in a cell block with 25 other Freedom Riders.  He had an  opportunity to visit Parchman in 2011 on the 50 ^th anniversary of the project.

It was rare to see Professor Dennis without a book in his hand or a briefcase full of notes and articles. Booker T. Washington was a great inspiration in his life as he attempted to educate and bring his people togetheir in political science, church and Pan African Studies (PAS). He developed or assisted in the development of numerous programs that recruited and graduated at-risk youth to the university from inner city Los Angeles as well as the San Fernando Valley when he served as chairman of  the PAS.

To say he was a role model is an understatement.  He never met a young person he did not try to speak wisdom into their life, encourage and/or mentor.  Even when he could no longer walk he made his way to Brenham High School.  His last goal was to get a Black History Club organized at Brenham High School.  Hopefully in honor of James Emerson Dennis (Junior), this will come to fruition.

Even in death, he was so peaceful, did not want to be a burden or a hardship, like Jesus in his final hours he said water, his thirst was quenched and he departed. Left to celebrate his life and continue his legacy, his loving and devoted wife Helen Lee, his daughter Nadlyn Alisa Williams (Dock), his son Tiyo Adesima Dennis. His three grandchildren Dock Williams III (Melanie), Karmen Williams, and Brian Williams (LaTasha) and seven great-grandchildren, Amari Arion Williams, TaNyiah Christene Wills, ZaRyan Anzar Williams, TreVion Ray Wills, Alivia Renea Williams, Kai Sasha-Mone Williams, and Zander ArrisonWilliams; and his sister love Mayme Jewel Gardner of Beaumont Texas; Sisters-in-law:  Lenzetta Lison(Brenham), Linda Dabney (Chicago);  Brother-in-law: Donnell Johnson (Sacramento), nieces:  Zina Evans, (CA), Alpha Denise Mack (Rev.  Delbert) TX, Margaret Materre (TX), LaDonna Aubert, Leilani White (Seaside,CA),  Marsha Wofford (Tacoma, WA).Great Neices: Alyncia Nelson (Beaumont,TX) Lenzetta Tamara Lison, Elisha Lison (Brenham)  Nephews: Kevin Evans (CA), J. Brian Gardner (Vanessa), Nashville, TN, and Robert White (CA) Delbert Mack, Jr.Beaumont, TX and Robert White, Great Nephews: Ryan Materre, (Houston), Delbert Mack Jr. (Beaumont) , Royal Gardner and Tyler Gardner (Nashville, TN), Tennessee, Invictus Lison (TX), First Cousins:  Lula Murphy (Dallas), Charlene Drake (Albert), Christene Jefferson, Denise Hudlin (Anslum), Debra Wilson (Waco, TX), Doris Jean Datcher (CA), and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents James Emerson and Hester Lee Dennis, his sister Annie White) and nephew, Ronald Materre (take that red out)

Arrangements are under the direction of Allen Dave Funeral Home

407 Burleson St. Brenham, Texas 77833. (979)830-5510 (p) 713-480-2966(f)