Mahalia Jackson was an American gospel singer. Although her career was mainly centered around being a gospel singer, she was also known as a civil rights activist.
Jackson was born on October 26, 1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana to her father and mother Charity Clark. She moved to Chicago, Illinois when she was twenty years old. She married Isaac Hockenhull in 1936 and later married Sigmond Galloway in 1964.
Vernon Henry James was born on November 4, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio. Vernon married Doris on July 2, 1955 and they had three children: Joni, Jerrold, and Judi.
James was enlisted in the United States Air Force for four years.
James was the senior and lead technician for Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier (EG&G) at the Nevada Test Site.