Wanda James

Wanda Mae (Barnes) James, age 87, of Kettering Ohio ascended to heaven peacefully on May 21, 2018. From her birth in Centertown, Kentucky, on December 23, 1930, to Hulet and Gussie Barnes, to her death, she nourished people around her with love, laughter and faith. Wanda attended Centertown High School in Centertown, KY. While in high school, she met her forever love Glendale. They married on March 19, 1949, and moved to Dayton, Ohio to begin their remarkable life of 68 years together. Wanda was an active member of The First Baptist Church of Kettering for 67 years. She loved teaching others about the Lord, and serving the Lord. She was often found volunteering in the church nursery and children’s Sunday school shaping young minds.

Romans 14:8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

In addition to her service in the church, Wanda honored veterans like her husband, Glendale, who is a World War II POW, by being an active member in a local POW chapter and volunteering at the Dayton VA Medical Center for over 15 years. With a caring and nurturing nature, she worked professionally as a preschool educator at Children’s World in Kettering for over 20 years.

Wanda is survived by her faithful and loving husband, Glendale; her two devoted sons, Doug James and Tim James; her three adoring grandsons Corey (Savannah) James, Robert James, and Christian James; and her two great-grandchildren Jager and Alesia James. She is also survived by her sister, Virginia (Van - deceased) Reel; her niece, Teresa (Jim) Protenic; her nephew, Phillip (Kathy) Reel; as well as her great nephews and nieces.

Funeral service will be held 1:30PM Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-Far Hills Chapel; family will receive friends from 12 noon until time of service. Burial will follow in the David’s Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Kettering hospital and hospice of Dayton for the love and of Wanda during her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Kettering or Hospice of Dayton.