James Lightfoot

Beginnings: James, husband, father, educator, is the oldest and only child of Moses Lightfoot and Lucille Brown. He was born a twin on August 16th, 1937, in Macon, Georgia. His twin brother did not survive birth. James' mother departed life when he was six years old. He then lived with various relatives on his mother's side. They did not have much, but they loved him. When he was later cared for by another relative, he was lacking basic needs and care. Life was beyond difficult in Macon. A cousin in Pittsburgh travelled to Macon and brought him to Pittsburgh. She enrolled him at Fifth Avenue High School; there, he excelled as an athlete in basketball. He was awarded a scholarship to Tuskegee University, Alabama. He is a member of the Hall of Fame at Tuskegee for this sport. James has one brother that predeceased him, Moses Lightfoot; other brothers are Willie and Isaac Lightfoot of Macon. He has one sister, Agnes Fletcher of Atlanta. His cousins, Johnnie Mae Brown and Lucinda Brown Hunter (James) were his parents during his childhood and teen years. He was reunited with his father, Moses Lightfoot (Cartie), in childhood and later in his life. That reunion, in 1976, was such a blessing to James. The Lightfoot Clan remains close. 

Faith: Jim accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, in childhood in Macon, Georgia. His devotion to God remained in the good and bad times of his life. He was a former member of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee, a deacon, chair of benevolence and a teacher for other deacons-in-training. He joined Mount Ararat Baptist Church in 1996, and he served there as a deacon. His faith and prayers never wavered during his lengthy illnesses.

Marriage and Family: In 1962, he met his loving and caring wife, Mary Ann Stroud. They married on March 13th, 1964, at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. They were married 61 years in 2025. They have three sons: Maurice NAthaniel Lightfoot (Patricia), James Elliott Lightfoot (Kimberly), and Mark Randall Lightfoot, who preceded him in death in 2011. He was a great father to his own sons, and hew as a community dad to many other males and females. James always had a word of wisdom to help them. He loved his "Ann". He was very close to her family. James was a very gregarious person. For years he enjoyed travelling with Ann.

Education and Career: James Graduated Fifth Avenue Highsiil, 1957; Tuskegee University, Alabama, B.A. & Sc degree,1962. University of Pittsburgh, MS ED. 1979, and Ph.D., Education and Supervision, 1980. He began his career at the Pittsburgh Board of Education as a grade school teacher. He then served as a dean in middle school. His specialty was secondary administration. As an administrator and after obtaining his MS, he was often dispacted to a high-school to be a presence to enhance peace (using conflict resolution skills), and educational achievement with students. He was also a track and field, football, and basketball coach. Coach Guckert and he coached the basketball team at Fifth Aveneue Hish School, to achieve the state Championship  in 1976. Former students, now mature adukts say things such as, "He helped me turn my life around, or he never gaveup on me." He retired from Alderdice High School in 1998. He was committed to students and their education.

He will be missed by is loving wife, Mary Ann; sons and daughter-in-laws; grandchildren: Keith M. Yates; Maurice T. Lightfoot; (Danielle),  Tyler J. Lightfoot; M. Kennedy Lightfoot; and J. Elliott Lightfoot Jr.; Great-grands, Charlotte R. Yates, Resse D. Lightfoot, and Harley M. Lightfoot; 4th son Dwayne (Fifi), grafted in grandchildren, Louis III, Delilah, Keoni, and A'jani Callaway and many others. Thank you to all or the love and support.

The Lightfoot Family

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