James Ashe departed this life in the early morning hours on Friday, August 22, 2025. He was the eldest of two sons of Marie W. Ashe and Ammon J. Ashe. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia on October 7, 1928. James attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Norfolk and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in the class of 1947 and remained active with the alumni.
He worked various jobs during his career including the family-owned Ashe Confectionary in Huntersville. He joined the Norfolk Sheriff's Department in 1961, becoming the first Black Deputy in the City of Norfolk. James later became a Correctional Officer under the Sheriff's Department. After retiring from the Sheriff's Dept., James remained active working at Freemason Harbor Condos receiving a citation for 20 years of dedicated service. He was a lifetime member of the Basilica of St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, member of the Lindenwood Civic League, member of the Eureka Lodge and a member of the Fountainhead Social Club James married Geraline Mangum and from that union came six children. Sharon Brown, Gretchen Michele Holland (Dennis), Theresa Ashe (Kurt), Victor Ashe (Gloria), Rema Ashe, and Dathan Ashe (Sandra). Also left to mourn are a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.