James was the son of Christopher Columbus Whitehead and Jacie Brown Whitehead. He was educated in the Dooly County School System and was a graduate of Vienna High and Industrial School in Vienna, Georgia. After graduation he attended Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia and Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. He was drafted into the U. S. Army and served during the Vietnam War and received his Honorable Discharge. He was employed with the Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Company in Perry, Georgia for over 20 years. He also worked for the State of Georgia for over 10 years. He served as Vice President of the Pulaski County NAACP and was also a Board Member of the Pulaski County Housing Authority. He was a member of the Big Poplar Spring Baptist Church in Dooly County, Georgia where he served as Church Trustee.

He was married to Lechina Baker Whitehead on September 2, 2006. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Ardelia W. Nelson, Johnnie M. Bolden and Queen Ester W. Brazeau and 4 brothers, Thoams F. Whitehead, Christopher C. Whitehead Jr, Marion McArthur Whitehead and Jimmie Lee Whitehead.

Survivors:
Wife: Lechina Whitehead.
2 Daughters: Ykeisha Tinsley(Jarvis) and Latrell McBurse.
5 Sons: GaQuan Watkins, Lacorey Whitehead, Dylan Whitehead, James Whitehead and Rashad Whitehead.
2 Sisters: Anell McWhite(Arthur) and Grace Hyde(Clarence).
Father-In-Law: Theodis Mann.
1 Sister-In-Law: Cathy Dinkins(Sean Rique).
4 Brothers-In-Law: Ashley Baker(Sonia), Rickey Johnson(Debra), Steven Baker and Timothy Mann.
1 Aunt-In-Law: Mary Mann.
1 Uncle-In-Law: Bobby Mann(Linda).
A Special Cousin: Mildred W. Anderson.
3 Devoted Friends: Mart Sikes, Charles Denard and Rev. Obbie Mann.
8 Grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 11AM in the Big Poplar Spring Cemetery in Unadilla, Georgia with Rev Gary Lucas officiating.