Dr. James L. Netters Sr.
Last year, Dr. James L. Netters Sr. recounted his legacy during a Black History Month special with Bishop Edward H. Stephens Jr., senior pastor at Golden Gate Cathedral in the Raleigh/Frayser community.
Stephens extended Netters the invitation to speak to his congregation via a question-and-answer format based on Netters’ legendary status, their relationship, and the fact that the pastor was up in age.
Netters had shared his life story many times with the media, the public, and with his congregation when he was senior pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Westwood for more than 60 years.
Others knew of Netters’ pioneering efforts in politics and civil rights. On Dec. 13, the beloved pastor died at the age of 93. His story is still being told by those who knew and loved him.
“I knew what a pioneer he was in our community and the fact that I’d heard some of his story directly out of his mouth,” said Stephens, adding that “he and my father (the late Rev. Edward H. Stephens Sr.) were very, very close friends.”
Stephens said he wanted to bless Netters and introduce his congregation to a pioneer who helped to change the trajectory of African Americans in Memphis via ministry, civil rights, politics, and community service.
In ministry, Netters was one of the most influential pastors in the city. He built a huge edifice in the Westwood community with abiding faith and filled it with servant leaders and a massive congregation.
He attended the March on Washington in 1963 after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. issued a clarion call for jobs and freedom. When he returned to Memphis, he was hyped up with inspiration.
Netters told Stephens that day that Dr. King had delivered one of the greatest speeches he’d ever heard after the civil rights leader told America about his dream. He went on to organize a bus sit-in in Memphis and got himself arrested.
Determined to make a difference in the lives of Black people, Netters turned to politics. He was one of the first three Black city council members sworn into office in 1968, along with the Rev. J.O. Patterson Jr. and Fred Davis, a businessman.
That was a tumultuous year. The sanitation workers were on strike and the mayor, Henry Loeb, would not yield to their demands. Dr. King came to Memphis on behalf of the sanitation workers and loss his life.
Netters went on to work for Loeb’s successor, Mayor Wyeth Chandler, as his assistant and as his community liaison from 1972 to 1975. He’d gained invaluable knowledge working across the aisle and used it to his advantage.
Uplifting the community from which he was raised was no doubt on his mind when he took a seat on the board of the Memphis Light Gas and Water Division. He also served as board chairman during his tenure.
For his work with MLGW, a business center is named in his honor. Also, a portion of Third Street was renamed James L. Netters Parkway. Netters remembered as much about his life and what he was able to accomplish when Stephens allowed him to tell his own story.
At one point when Netters was collecting his thoughts and weaving together his story, he said jokingly that he had a senior moment. After that, it was crystal clear why Stephens was enamored.
When Stephens first tapped Netters to speak, he’d decided that “younger adults needed to hear a message from a pioneer who I knew…he definitely wouldn’t be here as long as he’d already lived.”
Pastor Melvin Watkins had known Netters since he was a mere child – for about 40 years. “Dr. Netters baptized me when I was nine years old,” said Watkins, who succeeded Netters as senior pastor of Mt. Vernon in April of 2018.
Before assuming the pastorate, Watkins was Netters’ assistant and copastor for 15 years. Their relationship was intertwined – a mentor and mentee, you might say, who followed the path that Netters had hewn out for him.
“The world was not worthy of Rev. Netters,” said Watkins, who held Netters in high regard. “God sent this man into our midst to make a difference, to make an impact. He did everything that he could to make this world a better place.”
He said Netters was just a good human being who loved all people. “More importantly, he loved the Lord. He had a deep commitment to his faith, to his family, to his community, and to his church.”
The news of Netters’ death drew comments and condolences near and far, from those who admired his work and from political office holders, including Tennessee’s Ninth District Congressman Steve Cohen.
“The Rev. James Netters was a giant in the pulpit as a stand-up pastor and in our community when his friendships and influence knew no limits,” he said. “I valued his friendship and his solid support, particularly in my campaigns for Congress.”
Cohen said Netters will be missed.
I have known Dr. Netters for nearly a life time. Since Jr. High School. When I went into the Army, whenever I came home, I would always stop by Mt Vernon to see him. No matter what he was doing, he would always invite me into his office and we would have nice conversations. Even at times he may have been engaged in other business, he would have me stick around until he would finish so that we could have our normal little talks. Thank you God for such a pioneer in our society and community to have shared just a little bit of his life time with me. Thank you God for a fine man. God bless Dr. Netter's family to keep them strong.
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