Mr. James “Hammer” Aldridge was born on February 8, 1933 to William and Lulu Aldridge in Winona Mississippi. James attended Hazel Baptist Church located in Hazel Green Mississippi, where he gave his life to Christ at an early age. The baby boy of seven children, grew up in Mississippi, and attended Hazel Green High School. He moved to Indianapolis, IN in 1954 where he met and later married Bertha Smith-Aldridge.

Mr. James Aldridge retired from Beveridge Paper Company after working there for 25 years.  He was a fork lift driver for many of those years. During his life, James showed unconditional love for everyone, especially his wife Bertha and daughter Kay Davis. James loved the family barbeques and card games where all of the relatives would gather. Mr. James Aldridge departed this life on Sunday October 14, 2018 at the age of 85.

James leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Bertha Smith Aldridge and daughter, Kay Davis (Thomas), son Anthony Squires, sisters Oza Wilson, Idell Augustus (Paramount CA), Nephew and niece, Charles and Yvonne Shaw and niece Evelyn William. He also leaves 7 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and a host of cherished in-laws, relatives and friends.  James was preceded in death by his mother and father, Sister Rosie Bennett and Brothers; William Aldridge, George Aldridge and Charles Aldridge.