Diane Angaleta James

Diane Angaleta Poulson James grew up in the small town of Rowan Iowa. She was a farmer’s daughter and worked in the cornfields, milked cows and all the chores a farmer’s daughter would be expected to do. Diane’s mother passed away from cancer when Diane was only 13 years old. Her older sister Carolann had already married. So, Diane’s father raised her by himself.

After high school, Diane married Larry Keleher and had a daughter named Stacy. After a few years of living in Rowan, IA they moved to Colorado Springs, CO. Diane and Stacy moved to Houston, TX where Stacy graduated high school. After growing up and marrying, Stacy passed in 1985.

Diane went to the University of Houston Clear Lake where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.

She began her 24-year teaching career in the Galena Park Independent School District. Later she transferred to the Humble Independent School District and retired from Whispering Pines Elementary School in 2003. She loved teaching and seeing young minds grow.

Diane met her husband Bradley Ray James while singing in the choir at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church and were married on February 14, 1988. From the start, Diane treated Ray’s children, Christy and Brad as if they were her own. Christy came to live with Diane and Ray when she was 14 years old.

During their marriage, Diane and Ray spent as much time together as possible. They enjoyed taking trips together to various destinations. Their first trip was to the Bahamas where Diane caught a grouper and was upset that she was the only one not to catch a barracuda. A lot of times they would take the kids to see Granny and Pawpaw James in Goodrich, where everybody would have lots of fun. A few vacations were made to see Diane’s sister Carolann and other relatives who lived in Iowa. The first trip Diane told Ray that the kids needed a break from riding when she saw Brad using his chair like a slide. Two vacations were spent traveling to North Dakota to see Brad when each of his daughters were born.

Diane loved reading and quilting. She made many beautiful quilts over the years. This became her main activity when she retired from teaching.

Diane had a personality that naturally made you want to be with her. Everyone who knew her liked her and there were very few people Diane didn’t like. The best years of Diane’s life were spent with her husband Ray.

Diane is preceded in death by her Father: Duane Franklin Poulson, Mother: Gladys Berniece Martin Poulson, Daughter: Stacy Angaleta Keleher Marsh.

Left to cherish her loving memory Sister: Carol Ann Poulson Ballenger, Husband: Bradley Ray James, Daughter: Christina Leigh James Gibbs, (Son-in-law: Michael Gibbs,) Grandson: Sean Algood-James, (Granddaughter-in-law: Luciana Algood-James,) Great Granddaughter: Amaya Diane Algood-James, Son: Bradley Ross James, (Daughter-in-law: Kennye Miller James,) Granddaughter: Cyerra James, Granddaughter: Marissa James, Grandson: Mason James, Grandson: Caden James.

Visitation for family and friends will begin on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 1pm with the funeral service to beginning promptly at 2pm. Interment to follow in Brookside Memorial Park immediately after the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. Jude or your favorite charity.