Kaye Lynn "Mama Kaye" James

Kaye Lynn James, “Mama K”, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 4 at home with her loving family at her side. Kaye was born December 6, 1953, in Kendallville, Indiana, to father, Robert G. (“Mac”) McKinnis, and mother, Catherine E. (Hampshire) McKinnis, before moving at a young age with her family to Fort Wayne. Kaye graduated from North Side High School in 1972 where she was a cheerleader and honor student among a variety of other things. She graduated from IPFW as a dental hygienist and worked in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area for many years before retiring in order to devote her entire time to her four children and, whenever possible, to her beloved Snow Lake. As a hygienist, she was known for her sunny (except perhaps in early mornings) personality and soft touch who always took full advantage of her captive audience that was not able to disagree with her. Kaye married her husband, Michael L. James, on September 30, 1983, and together they raised four beautiful children who were the pride and light of her life: Jennifer (Jon Hickman) James, Joshua (Abby) James, Justin (Shannon Williams) James, and Jessica (Nate) Pribbeno, and created a fulfilling life of happiness and love.

Kaye was an ebullient, bigger than life personality who immediately lit up any room she entered. She literally never met a stranger and loved to laugh, dance, sing (whether she knew the lyrics or not), tell stories, talk politics (passionately), and occasionally share a bawdy joke with close friends. She considered herself and her family “true lakers” and loved to travel whenever the opportunity arose. She was a perennial home room mother, taught aerobics and Zumba classes, and was her children’s biggest (and most vocal) fan at all their athletic, dance and other activities. But Kaye also always possessed deep wisdom and was an accomplished listener. To scores of her children’s friends she was affectionately known as “Momma K”, offering good food, laughter, sage counseling, and friendship. She offered the same gifts to her many friends and to her husband’s colleagues and clients alike and was a constant solid partner in helping to build her husband’s legal career. She was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed by many.

Kaye is survived by her husband and four children; grandchildren (Charlotte & Harrison James, Payton, Addi & Bryson Hickman as well as Stella Pribbeno); cousin, Clifford Heatherington; and brother, David R. (Christina) McKinnis. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service will be held at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Funeral Home, 1320 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Friday, November 13, 2020 at 4:00 pm with visitation beginning at 2:00 pm until the time of service. Service will be livestreamed on Facebook on D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley's Page.

Memorial donations in Kaye's name may be made to NAMI at www.nami.org. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.mccombandsons.com