Marion “Hope” Williams James, 91, of 20 Cinnamon Hill Drive, Franklin, NC, passed away Monday, October 20, 2008 at home.

Born May 16, 1917, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Margaret Counihan White and Harold White. She was fostered by Mary Voorhis Schofield Williams and Fletcher Williams of NYC and later by Rose Williams (sister to Fletcher Williams) of Newark, NY.
She attended the Friends Seminary School in NYC and graduated from high school in Newark, NY. She graduated from The Good Shepherd Hospital School of Nursing in Syracuse, NY in 1940. While in nursing training at Syracuse, NY, she met her husband of 64 years, the late George D. James Jr, who preceded her in death on September 16, 2006. They were married in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX on March 12, 1942 and eventually settled in Unadilla, NY, where they raised their four children. Hope worked as a nurse during World War II and continued serving as a volunteer at The Hospital in Sidney, NY. She was active in the United Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Unadilla Methodist Church, serving many leadership positions. While living in Franklin, she became a charter member of the Franklin Federated Women’s club. Hope was also a member of the Republican Women’s Club.
In 1984, Hope and George moved to the Clark’s Chapel community in Franklin, and became members of the Clark’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Hope was a choir member and enjoyed various church and Sunday School activities. She was a volunteer at the Angel Community Hospital and as a member of the Friends of the Macon County Public Library.
Hope and George enjoyed many years traveling all over the world. Both were long time members of the WBCCI Airstream Club and various local units.

Hope is survived by her four children, George D. James III and spouse, Sally, Robert William James and spouse, Cathy, Thomas David James and spouse, Betsy, all of Franklin, NC and Jennifer Anne James Taggart and spouse, John Taggart of Newburg, PA; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 31, 2008 at Clark’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 1999 Clark’s Chapel Rd. Franklin, NC. Rev. Al Beck will officiate.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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