Mildred James

Millie was the 3rd oldest of 10 siblings which was comprised of 9 girls and 1 boy; this meant she got her mothering skills at a very young age caring for all of her younger siblings.

When she was in school at Crooked Oak High School or “Bent Limb” as Jim liked to call it, she loved to play basketball and it didn’t matter if you were her sister or not, she was getting that ball.

She said one of her favorite opponents was always her sister Mary since Mary was just as competitive as Millie and it was always a good hard-fought game.

Later in life she met the love of her life Jimmie James, they fell in love and got married January 5, 1951.

She traveled with Jim to San Diego for his Navy duty and followed Jim to any/all other orders he got from the Navy; Millie was sure to be waiting when he came home.

During their time together, they had 3 beautiful children Rhonda, Michael and Dawna.

They lived in Oklahoma City where Millie raised their kids while Jim provided for the family.

They travelled to rodeos and spent time visiting family and going on trips. Millie was always Jim’s biggest cheerleader and rooted him on at every event. You could always hear her distinct cheer of “Hurry” during a calf or team roping run by Jim. If he was in the lead in his event, we could count on her to hex the other ropers so they wouldn’t get ahead of his score. If he missed, then she often commented “Did I shave my legs for this?” to the ones sitting with her watching the event. She occasionally joined Jim in the Ribbon Roping events where she was a great partner for him to pair up with and they always had a good time.

Millie loved her trips and time spent with her sisters and friends, the two-day casino runs or the small lunch and hair-do Saturdays/Sundays with “The Sisters” was especially important to her.

After her kids grew up Millie decided she wasn't quite done taking care of kids or ready to retire her wooden spoon and wooden yardstick that she used for straightening out bad behavior, so she began babysitting her grandchildren Jessie, Jimbo, Alissa, and Jerod. She had them with her as much as possible. She helped raise them from their younger years thru to their High School years until they became young adults and started their own families.

In 1994 Jim and Millie moved to the Purcell/Washington area to get out of the hustle of the city since Jim was retiring from his years in the elevator business.

This began her third tour of duty babysitting as she began to help take care of her great grandchildren.

During her later years she spent her days enjoying her time with Jim, her children and their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Millie was preceded in death by her daughter Dawna, her sisters Marie, Marcella, Rena, Maudie and brother Dubie.

She leaves behind her dearest husband Jimmie James, daughter Rhonda & husband Charles Stevens, son Michael and wife Karen James.

Grandchildren Jessica, Jim (Bo) & wife Kelli, Alissa and Jerod.

Great grandchildren Cade, Makayla, Keira, Aubree, Camden and Charlie.

Sisters Moyra , Mary, Martha, Lena and a host of nieces & nephews.

She was a tough and strong woman. She would expect all of us to be the same at this time. She will always be loved and remembered as our matriarch, caregiver and the foundation our family was built on.