Albertine James

Albertine C. James

Battle Creek

Albertine C. James, 99, formerly of Battle Creek, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, December 14, 2014.

Albertine was born in Warrensburg, IL, on April 13, 1915.  She was the daughter of Steven Douglas and Sarah Jane (Harvey) Spitzer.  It was in Warrensburg that she attended elementary and high school.  She then went on to graduate from Illinois State University on October 1, 1935, with a teacher's certificate in Elementary Education.

While teaching in Decatur, IL, Albertine traveled on weekends to Peoria to visit her cousins, Kathleen and Eileen.  It was during a visit when Albertine met her husband, the late Carl James.  A marriage proposal was accepted in October, 1941.  Albertine and Carl married August 8, 1942.  It was that same year when Albertine and Carl moved to Battle Creek, MI.  They purchased and operated a small jewelry store together.

Albertine was an active member in the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, MI.  She was ordained a Deacon on March 10, 1997 and an Elder on January 10, 1999.  Albertine kept busy with Priscilla Circle, Sew-N-Sews, Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, Evangelism Committee, Reading Mentor and Bible Study Groups.  She was also a member of The Red Hat Society and The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Albertine became the director of the Charitable Union in 1966.  Her emphasis was on preserving the dignity of people in need.  She loved to make a child feel special with some new clothes.  She enjoyed all challenges of her position.  Albertine retired after 24 years with the agency.

Albertine was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, her loving daughter, Sara Popp, eight brothers and three sisters.  Surviving are her great nieces and great nephews who will miss her dearly.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday with visitation one hour prior on December 18, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Charitable Union or the First Presbyterian Church.  Arrangements are by the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.