Ann Wrape James

Mary “Ann” Wrape James, 94, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully on Aug. 12, 2025, only 19 days after the loss of her beloved husband of 70 years, Dr. David H. James, Jr. She was born in Little Rock to Aloysius John Wrape, Sr., and Azile Hogan Wrape, and raised on State Street in the Historic Quapaw Quarter. Her lifetime residency was in West Memphis, where she and David raised 11 children. She returned to Little Rock in her golden years to be close to family.

Ann attended The Cathedral School for elementary education and Mount St. Mary’s Academy for high school—as did her mother, three granddaughters and many nieces. There, her faith deepened and her sense of community grew. She was active in school life, serving as editor of the Mercian yearbook, cheering for the Catholic High School Rockets and graduating as salutatorian.

In 1953, Ann earned a Bachelor of Science degree with cum laude honors from the College of Mount St. Joseph on-the-Ohio (now Mount Saint Joseph University) in Cincinnati, Ohio. She majored in home economics with minors in biology, chemistry and social science. Ann was inducted into the Kappa Gamma Pi Honor Society of Catholic Women’s Colleges and was elected to Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges. Ann participated in various activities, but was most involved with the National Federation of Catholic College Students. She adopted her siblings' tradition of rooting for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in her spare time. A particularly cherished memory was a 1949 train trip with her father to South Bend, Ind., to see the Notre Dame-Navy game.

Ann completed her dietetics residency at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., where she met David. Ann maintained her membership in the American Dietetic Association for many years and later shared her talents as a registered dietitian at a local nursing home, where residents often raved her menus were the best.

Ann was known for her steadfast Catholic faith, her dedication to St. Michael’s Catholic Church and School in West Memphis, and her service through the Infant of Prague Guild. She provided lifelong support to the Sisters in Little Rock Carmel and was a lay member of the Carmelite Third Order, following in the footsteps of her parents.

She treasured her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, remembered in the early years of motherhood for the sweet treats and her rotating breakfast menu—though the exact order is still debated—of French toast, cereal, scrambled eggs, pancakes and fried eggs—a simple ritual of love that began each day. She had a fondness for bingo, excelled at card games and was known for her regular hair appointments. Her elegant penmanship—steady, graceful and sincere—was unmistakable. Week after week, she clipped newspaper articles, tucked them into cards and sent them with care. It was her way of reaching out, of keeping a thread of connection.

Above all, she will be remembered for her dazzling blue eyes, which lit up whenever family walked into the room or when she blew kisses through FaceTime. Her petite hands, so often clasped in prayer, holding a rosary or extended to hold the hands of those she loved, were a gentle reminder of her tenderness. She also supported her husband’s love of sports—attending Vanderbilt University, St. Louis Cardinals and Memphis Redbirds games over the years—as well as their shared enjoyment of opera and symphony performances with friends.

Ann lived for many years with health challenges, which brought great hardship and required tremendous resilience. She continued to love, pray and care for others despite those struggles, showing a quiet testament to her strength and enduring faith. She never missed the opportunity to hold someone's hand, give a kiss or even blow one, leaving a legacy of affection that will endure forever.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Richard; her parents; her brothers, Aloysius J. Wrape, Jr., Jarrell Vincent Wrape and William Robert Wrape II; and her sister, Patricia Wrape Nenon. She is survived by her children: Mary James (Bruce Plantz), Paul (Sarah) James, David James, John (Kristie) James, Charles (Laura) James, Theresa James, Robert (Patty) James, Martha James, Mark (Dana) James and Shannon (Brian) Taylor; 21 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her lifelong friend and sister-in-law, Sue Keith Wrape.

The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care Ann received at the UAMS Institute on Aging and the dedicated SeniorKare caregivers and staff at Woodland Heights in Little Rock. Memorial donations may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church.

A Rosary Service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., followed by visitation from 6:00–8:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church in Little Rock. The family invites friends to stay for light refreshments and fellowship following the visitation.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Holy Souls Catholic Church.

Graveside services will follow on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion.