James Word

Dr. James Colvin Word, Esquire, known to his close friends and family as Jimmy, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, at the age of 74. Born on December 23, 1950, in Carrollton, Georgia, Jimmy was the beloved son of the late Leola Bonds. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Kinneth and Dawson Word.

After graduating valedictorian from Howard High School, Chattanooga,Tennessee in 1968, Jimmy attended Goshen College in Indiana, where he earned a BA in Sociology. His desire for knowledge and service led him to a remarkable and multifaceted career. He dedicated six years of his life to the U.S. Army, serving four of those years in Germany as a clinical psychologist.  Leaving the service with the rank of captain, he continued his academic pursuits, earning a PhD from Catholic University and a law degree from Yale Law School in 1983.

Jimmy began his legal career as an associate attorney at a prestigious law firm in San Francisco before making his home in Washington, D.C., in the early 1980s. He founded his own real estate company in 1985 and was a practicing attorney who tirelessly provided legal defense to the underprivileged. His commitment to caring for others was also evident in his work as a clinical administrator and clinical psychologist for 16 years at St. Elizabeth Hospital. He also served as the Assistant Chief of Psychiatric Services at the D.C. Jail and Chief of Mental Health Services at Lorton Penitentiary.

A man of deep faith, Jimmy was an ordained minister. He pastored a church from 1996 to 2004 and hosted a weekly radio broadcast for approximately a decade.
Dr. Word’s life was a testament to his dedication to helping others, combining his expertise in mental health and law to serve his community. He will be remembered for his intellect, his diverse professional achievements, and his profound commitment to those in need. 

He never married and had no children.  Those left to cherish his memories are his loving nephews and sister-in-law of Alexandria, VA; Aunt Esther Hutchins; Word family of Baltimore, MD, Georgia, and Tennessee.   His longtime friend and confidante, Jose Alejandro Salazar Rivera of Washington, DC.  Mr. Nathan Neal, Esq.,who as his legal guardian, handled his ward with the utmost distinction. Visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at the New Bethel Baptist Church, 1739 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001.  Service to follow at the same church at 11:00 am.  Interment will be at 10:00 am on Friday, September 5, 2025 at the Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172.

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