Joan B. James

Joan Bolden James passed away on July 15, 2024, Joan Bolden James passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was 90 years old.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, her parents were the late Joseph Alexander and Pauline (Allen) Bolden. After graduating from Westinghouse High School in 1952, she earned a degree in education at the University of Pittsburgh.  Joan taught elementary school for six years at Beltzhoover School. It was during this time that she met her beloved late husband, Dr. Edward E. James, on a blind date. The couple married on August 26, 1962, at Heinz Chapel. The couple had two sons, Edward Joseph, and Robert Alexander.

After taking time off to raise her sons, she was hired as Sewickley Academy's first African American teacher in 1977. In the early 1980’s, she established awareness programs at Sewickley Academy and at Quaker Valley Schools to celebrate Black History Month with plays, art exhibits, and performances. Class assignments and projects were geared toward learning about African American history. Joan brought in African American artists for the programs, such as Time photographer Gordon Parks, Pulitzer poet Gwendolyn Brooks, and actor Fred Morsell portraying Frederick Douglas.

After retiring from teaching at Sewickley Academy, Joan went on to work as Director of Community Outreach for Coraopolis Health Center, the urgent care facility her husband founded in 1959. Joan enjoyed coordinating successful free community health fairs aimed at promoting health and wellness for the Coraopolis community and the residents of the city of Pittsburgh.

Always exhibiting a cheerful disposition, Joan was the epitome of grace and elegance. She enjoyed entertaining at her home, reading literature, collecting African American art, playing the piano, playing bid whist, and spending time with her friends and family. Joan was an active member of several women’s clubs and the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. During her undergraduate years at the University of Pittsburgh, she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.  Post graduation, she delighted in the friendships she made as a member of The Pittsburgh Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and the Pittsburgh Chapter of The Girl Friends, Inc.  Along with her husband, Joan was a longtime member of Central Baptist Church in Pittsburgh where she served as Deaconess. Joan and Edward were former members of the Edgeworth Club in Sewickley and the Montour Heights Country Club in Moon Township.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her two sons, Edward and Robert (Natasha Lopez) and five grandchildren. A graveside service and interment will be held at Sewickley Cemetery on Friday, July 19. 2024 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to Central Baptist Church, 2200 Wylie Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or at https://www.osvhub.com/cbcpgh/giving/funds .