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James Jones, a long-time, award-winning journalist who served as the managing editor of The Selma Times-Journal, has passed away after battling a brief illness over the past month. He was 54.

James had been with The Selma Times-Journal since 2018. He previously worked at the SunHerald in Biloxi, Mississippi, for 26 years. He got his start in journalism at The Tuscaloosa News after graduating from Stillman College.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that our good friend and colleague, James Jones, has passed away this morning,” said Selma Times-Journal publisher Brent Maze on Friday. “James has been the heart and soul of The Selma Times-Journal over the past six years. We are deeply saddened by his loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to James’ family and his numerous friends, many of them he considered just like family.”

Funeral arrangements have not been announced by the family at this time.

While in Selma, James has been involved or covered Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho. James received a Spirit of Hope Award by the Dallas County chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on Saturday, March 30. He partnered with the Drug Free Communities of Dallas County and had been recognized as a “Hope Dealer.”

James has won 14 Alabama Press Association awards and was a part of the Pulitzer Prize winning staff of the SunHerald following their coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In 2016, James was inducted into the Gulfport Sports Hall of Fame after his service covering sports on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“I spent 26 years as a sportswriter and sports editor, but politics always interests me. I’m grateful for the contacts with U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, Rep. Prince Chestnut, and State Sen. Robert Stewart, all of whom I can contact at a minute’s notice and they respond,” James wrote in a column commemorating his sixth anniversary with the paper. “Covering the Selma City Council, Valley Grande City Council and Dallas County Commission meetings are equally important. All three governing bodies have been cooperative.”

Maze said he has loved getting to know James over the last six months. His first experience working with James was for the 2024 Jubilee Bridge Crossing Festival, as they covered the visit of Vice President and Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris visited Selma.

“James loved Selma, and Selma loved him,” Maze said. “I cannot go anywhere in Dallas County without someone asking about James. He’s had a profound impact on the city and county.”

Maze said he has enjoyed their talks about everything from city politics to sports, where they shared war stories about covering sports in Mississippi.

“He is not just well-known in Selma, but he is well-known in the journalism community across the twin states area,” Maze said. “He will be missed here in Selma. He did so many little things that impacted the lives of others, whether it was giving a ride to a classmate or just being there.

“James was much more than just a colleague. He was a friend. I will miss him so much.”

Those wishing to contact James’ family or would like to send us their memories of James can contact The Selma Times-Journal at news@selmatimesjournal.com or message us on our social media channels.