Alesa James Carr
January 28, 1965 - May 25, 2025
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Alesa James Carr
January 28, 1965 - May 25, 2025
Obituary
Alesa James Carr, a devoted mother of two and visionary attorney known for her dedication to equity and public health, impeccable style, and generous spirit, passed away on May 25 in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Born on January 28, 1965, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Alesa was the daughter of George E. James and Marian R. (Richardson) James. After graduating from Beaver Falls High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.
Alesa’s legal career included corporate counsel, litigation, and directing housing policy initiatives in Detroit to address the foreclosure crisis. She consulted on environmental policy to support clean air, water, and soil in marginalized communities. Alesa also founded a healthcare nonprofit, working with federal and international organizations to improve access to medical devices for underserved populations.
She was known for her taste in fashion, love of music, global travel, and talent for design. A dedicated daughter, sister, and aunt, Alesa enjoyed buying the perfect gifts for her loved ones. In addition to countless fun and memorable moments with her family, Alesa cherished her time with her childhood and lifelong friends and cousins, including Sandra (Frazier) Evans, Jacqueline Montgomery, Brenda (Madden) Patton, Marcee Richardson, Regina (Williams) Crawford, Shawn (DeBerry) Johnson, and April (Petty) Hauser.
While Alesa has a new home in heaven with her best friend (a.k.a. her mom), Beaver Falls was her earthly home, and Bridge Street, Tabernacle Baptist Church, South School, St. Mary’s, and Beaver Falls High School were where she learned her essential life lessons.
Alesa is survived by her father, George E. James; her children, Michael Carr II and Kendal Carr; her sisters, Alexis (Melvin Jr.) Steals and Alaina (Jesse Washington) James; and her nieces and nephews Coletrane, Alanna, Corinne, Zachary, Zora, and Drew.
The family will receive visitors on Saturday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Christian Assembly Family Church, 6241 Tuscarawas Rd., Industry PA 15052. Funeral services will begin at noon. Rev. Bill Anzevino will officiate.
Arrangements were handled by GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Rd. Beaver Falls Pa 15010, Chippewa Twp.-www.gabauerfamilyfuneralhomes.com
Visitation
- Date & Time: June 21, 2025 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Venue: Christian Assembly Family Church
- Location: 6241 Tuscarawas Rd Industry, PA 15052 - (Get Directions)
Funeral Service
- Date & Time: June 21, 2025 (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)
- Venue: Christian Assembly Family Church
- Location: 6241 Tuscarawas Rd Industry, PA 15052 - (Get Directions)
Entombment
- Date & Time: No Date & Time
- Venue: Beaver Cemetery And Mausoleum
- Location: Buffalo Street Beaver - (Get Directions)
2 responses to Alesa James Carr
Jacqueline Montgomery and Family says:
June 13, 2025
My dear family, we love you. Please know we all are thinking of you and praying for Gods perfect peace to rest in your spirits. Our heartfelt love and condolences go out to you all. So many memories of our beautiful Alesa, so many laughs, special moments, family gatherings at Grandma’s and Grandad’s home, and all the fun we had growing up together that God blessed us with. Stay strengthened in the Lord. Love, thoughts and prayers always and forever.
George H. Mazzarantani says:
July 19, 2025
To the James Family. and the Carr children-
My name is George H. Mazzarantani, and I was classmate of Alesas at Georgetown Law. I first met Alesa in late July/early August of 1987. We both arrived early to take a month long prep course before starting actual classes. I found then, and confirmed later, Alesa’s soft spoken manner and high intellect. Sadly, when classes started we were both assigned to different sections, which meant we might see each in the halls and say hello but didn’t interact much….until early January 1990. We bumped into each other, and with graduation on the horizon, we questioned why we never “hung out” during the last 2.5 years. So this began the first of many social interactions that last semester.
I found, as did all others who knew her, that as soft spoken as she was, she had an incredible intellect-she was very very smart- and also hid a wickedly dry sense of humor. Needless to say, she was also very very beautiful, but she never flaunted it or act in a way that didn’t support her sense of character and self.
She was raised right.
Just coincidentally, we have our 35th reunion approaching in October, so I searched online for Alesa to see if she would be attending.
When I found out yesterday the news of her passing, I was absolutely stunned…In fact, I’m still in somewhat of a sense of disbelief. I basically had a very sorrowful day yesterday, and reminisced of our interactions.
Alesa was nothing short of beautiful, intelligent and supremely kind. I hope her children are able to read this and get a sense of who she was when I knew her 35 years ago. She may be gone, but I believe in God and know he has his arms wrapped around her, and will not allow her beautiful spirit to be diminished here on earth.
My heart aches as I feel her loss.
I can’t imagine how you, her family, must be suffering. Know that those of us who knew her back then retained the strong, beautiful memories of her; memories that she imparted in our brief time together in DC.
May God send you love and healing. And may God bless Alesa and her memory.
GHM