Carol James

Carol Joyce Blackman James, 81, a devoted mother, grandmother, cherished family member and friend, passed away on May 15, 2025.  Her life embodied love and grace, and she leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Born on January 2, 1944, in Jacksonville, Florida, Carol was the daughter of Edward J. Blackman, Sr. and Camille Davis Blackman. A lifelong member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, she was deeply rooted in her hometown community, where she nurtured lasting friendships and left an indelible mark.

Carol graduated from New Stanton Senior High School in 1961 and was a proud member of Les Onze Cheriés, a distinguished social organization of young women committed to finer womanhood, academic achievement, and community service. The bond and relationships forged in Les Onze Cheriés remained strong throughout the years. Following high school, she continued her studies at Florida A&M University, where she was a member of the Agricultural and Home Economics Club and during that time was also active with the Civil Rights Movement, participating in sit-ins and protests. She graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Foods, Nutrition, and Institutional Management. At Florida A&M University Carol also met her soulmate, Isiah “Ike” James, Jr.

Carol's distinguished career in dietetics began with competitive internships at two of the nation's leading medical institutions, Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City and Cook County Hospital in Chicago. There, she earned the equivalent of a master’s degree in Hospital Dietetics and became a registered dietitian through the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

She later returned to her hometown of Jacksonville, where she worked as a dietitian at St. Luke’s Hospital before joining the Duval County Health Department as a Public Health Nutritionist. Over the course of her 30-year career, Carol held numerous leadership roles, including Senior Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor, Coordinator of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, and Nutrition Program Director.

Beyond her formal roles, Carol was deeply involved in community health initiatives. She served on advisory boards for Head Start and the Duval County Extension Program and played a key role in coordinating nutrition services for WIC recipients throughout the county. Her work left a lasting impact on the health and well-being of countless families in the Jacksonville area.

Carol and Ike married in 1970 and built a loving home together, raising five children. Family was her greatest joy, and her role as a mother and grandmother was the centerpiece of her life. She delighted in sharing stories and celebrating the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, always their biggest supporter and most enthusiastic cheerleader.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Isiah James, Jr.; her parents, Edward J. Blackman, Sr. and Camille Davis Blackman; and her brother, Edward James Blackman, Jr.

She leaves behind her five devoted children: Pia James, Michele James, Sonya James, Scott James (Olivia Palacio), and Isaiah James (Stephanie Rivera); and four adoring grandchildren; Aysia Rivera, Scott V. James, London James, and Ella James. She is also survived by her uncle Paul Quincy Haynes, along with a host of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members, as well as many lifelong friends.

Carol’s warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered. Her spirit lives on in the hearts of all she touched.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to any Florida A&M University Scholarship Fund. 

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