Eleesa Annette James

Eleesa Annette James took her heavenly journey on May 11th, 2023. She was 62 years old. Eleesa or Leesa, as she was known, was born in Kinston, North Carolina on September 26, 1960 to Thad Rhodes, Jr. and the late Earline Joyner Rhodes. Her parents were overjoyed at the arrival of their first child, a beautiful baby girl.

As a young child, Leesa moved with her parents to Virginia. First living in the Deep Creek section of Chesapeake, then in Norfolk, where she attended James Monroe Elementary School. After moving to Virginia Beach, Leesa attended Windsor Oaks Elementary School, Plaza Junior High School and graduated from Floyd E. Kellam High School in 1977. That same year she married Melvin Lee James and together they welcomed their daughter, Kirsten into the world. Leesa then attended Kee Business College and received her degree in 1981.

Leesa was a long-time resident of Virginia Beach. She began her professional career at Twin Canal Village Apartments with the F and W Company in 1981. She eventually became Property Manager at Pine Oak Village Apartments in 1983 and then at Bridle Creek Apartments from 2000 to 2023. She was a dutiful and vital member of these companies for over 40 years until shortly before her passing. Leesa and Melvin eventually divorced but they both continued to be loving influences on Kirsten. Leesa became a grandmother in 2018 when Kirsten and her husband, Lorenzo, welcomed their daughter, Loren into the world. Leesa was so proud of her granddaughter and constantly doted lovingly on Loren and granddaughter, Loreya.

Leesa was a gentle and kind soul. Everyone who knew her thought the world of her. Laughter came easily to her and she would bring that laughter to those around her. Leesa truly enjoyed her life, frequently traveling with close friends who were very much sisters to her. She was deeply rooted in the Christian Faith. As a long-standing and active member of New Oak Grove Baptist Church, she served on the Pastor’s Aid Ministry.

Leesa was preceded in death by her mother, Earline in 1992. She is survived by her daughter, Kirsten High and son-in-law Lorenzo High of Chesapeake; granddaughters Loren High and Loreya High; father Thad Rhodes, Jr of Virginia Beach; brother Thad Rhodes, III of Virginia Beach; best friends Shirley Etheridge and Marion Riddick; and many other relatives and close friends who will miss her deeply.

Funeral arrangements are being overseen by Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, Va. Visitation will be on Friday, May 19th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 10:00am at New Hope Baptist Church, 395 Old Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, Va. Leesa’s Pastor, Reverend Tyrone L. Johnson of New Oak Grove Baptist Church will officiate.