A graveside service celebrating the life of Maybelle James, 77, will be held on Monday, August 5, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Park. A short visitation will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home from 9:30 until the service begins.
Mrs. James was born on May 30, 1942 in Shreveport, LA to Francis and Helen Watts. She passed from this life on July 30, 2019 in Raleigh, NC. Mrs. James was a graduate of the University of Tennessee where she received her Masters degree in Library Science. She worked for the state of Arkansas as the director of the Southwest Regional Public Library for 20 years. While there, she implemented a summer reading program for children. Mrs. James was very involved in her community and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. James also enjoyed researching family history. She was fascinated with her genealogy. Mrs. James tracked her Irish lineage to the 1600’s and she always wanted to visit Ireland.
Mrs. James had a variety of hobbies that included sewing. She made all of her daughters’ costumes for dance recitals and would sit up late at night sewing on thousands of sequins by hand. Her other hobbies included crafting, cooking, baking, and cake decorating.
Mrs. James met her beloved husband, Scotty, when she was only 17 years old. Aside from his time in the military, they were never separated until the time of his passing.
Mrs. James was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 59 years, Scotty James. Left to cherish her memory is her brother, Francis Watts III of Las Vegas, NV; her sister, Elizabeth Watts of DeRidder, LA; her children, Elisha James of Mishawauka, IN, Scott James, Jr. (Sheila) of Roscoe, IL, and Laura James of Raleigh, NC; her grandchildren, Matthew James (Ciara), Ashton James of Charlotte, NC, Kylie Dillon and Gemma Dillon; and her numerous cousins in Arizona.
"I'm Free"
Don't grieve for me, for I'm now free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that place at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored much.
Good friends, good times,
A loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share it with me...
God wanted me now,
He set me free.
