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Muriel James Obituary

Long-time Sacramento resident Muriel Yvonne Gassett James, loving mother, grandmother and friend passed away quietly in her sleep on August 26 at her home. She was 88. She is survived by her two sons, Donald and Dennis James, daughter-in-law Tanya, and two grandchildren, Brandon and Shawna. Muriel was reared and educated in Atlanta where she attended the First Congregational Church and graduated from Spelman College, a historic black women's college. She went on to Middlebury College in Vermont where she earned a Master's degree in French. At Middlebury, she met and married another student, Charles James (1922-2006). Muriel accompanied Charles when he went to Yale law school. After his graduation in the early 1950s the young couple drove across country to California, settling first in Sacramento and later in Stockton, where Charles established a private law practice. Muriel gave birth to three sons. The eldest, Charles Jr., died tragically at age 3. The family returned to Sacramento in 1962 when Charles joined the California State Attorney General's Office. Two years later Charles accepted an administrative position in Ghana with the newly established Peace Corps. After her marriage ended in 1965, Muriel returned to Sacramento with her two sons to begin her long teaching career. She taught English and French, first at Las Palmas Junior High and then at Grant Union High School. She loved her students and fellow educators. After retiring in 1989, Muriel enjoyed a life of duplicate bridge, socializing with her many friends, and spending time with her sons and her two grandchildren. Muriel was a lifetime member of the NAACP and maintained close contact with her Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters and numerous friends and relatives across the country. She half-jokingly declared that she didn't want to get too oldthat when it was "her time" she just wanted to go to sleep for the night and not wake up. That is exactly what she did. Her final gift to herself (and her family) was a peaceful transition to Heaven where she rightfully rests in eternal Grace. Though we lost a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend, we rejoice in knowing she is at peace.

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Sep. 23, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
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Mrs. James was the teacher that influenced me most in my life. She was tactful and discrete. She never pried into my home life but sensed that things might not be right. She always gave me words of encouragement. In my youth, she was the only person I could describe as being elegant and kind. She instilled in me a love of the French language. She showed me that there was a world outside that offered much more than my immediate surroundings would indicate. Where I came from, people didn't dare dream. I have educated myself. I have lived and worked most of my adult life abroad. The seed was already there. Mrs. James encouraged me to nourish it and to have a life bigger than the one I could ever have imagined. I am happy to read that she had a happy, long, healthy life. I am very grateful to her. My condolences to her family.

Daniel Gonsalves

August 28, 2018

May God remember you when you entered into the kingdom. Missing you and remembering lessons you taught me at the bridge table. May you rest in peace.

Joan Alston

August 23, 2018

Ms. James was my high school English teacher. She was kind, patient, dedicated and the epitome of a Southern belle. I am sorry to hear of her passing.

Carla Anene

April 13, 2018

Donald and Dennis, I just learned of your mother's passing. I am so sorry. I will miss our times together when visiting my mom in Sacramento. So many laughs we had. Sincerest condolences.

Tina Marshall

December 27, 2017

Donald and Dennis, you know how so very sorry I am to learn of the passing of your mom. Knowing her and you literally all of my life I am deeply saddened. Of course I will always remember all of you at my house as we grew up. I will especially remember her avid love of Bridge and playing with my mom and others in the "Tuesday Bridge Club" for over 40 years. Rest peacefully, Mrs. James.

Valerie Leon Brown

September 29, 2017

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Mrs. James was my favorite teacher at Las Palmas Jr High & Norte Jr. High. She constantly helped me improve my self confidence and commended me on my conduct. I remember she told me that I would be a great lady someday. She was right. The last time I saw and spoke to Mrs. James, I was in my 20s married and my first child was nearly a year old. She and Ms. Levinson were retired and having lunch at the same restaurant as my family and I . We happened to sit in the booth next to them and Mrs. James recognized me. We started talking . I introduced her to my husband and she played with my son. I wish I could have seen her at least one more time. Now, I'm in my 40s and to hear about her death saddens me. But that last meeting with her & Ms. Levinson immediately popped into my mind. I took her advice to set goals for myself and never give up. I'm so glad she became a teacher in Grant's school district. She influenced so many people. Thank you for sharing her with the community.

Michelle Thomas-Duruisseau

September 27, 2017

She was a great English teacher. Always loved going to her class.

Joseph Schminkey

September 25, 2017

Muriel was a very classy lady who made a difference in a lot of young peoples' lives. I was hired as her long term substitute at Grant so she could take the French teaching job. We bonded over a shared love of M and M's. She was fair, firm and feisty. And heaven forbid you spelled Spelman incorrectly! She was proud of her sons and their Scouting and sports activities as teenagers. She helped me out, a young teacher and a young mom, when she reached out to me. She was an example of how a woman can honorably lead her life with humor, humility and hard work.

September 24, 2017

My sincerest condolences for your loss. I had the privilege of having her as both my French and English teacher. She made me a better student. We have lost a great one, but heaven has gained a grand lady.

AnnLouise Bonnitto

September 23, 2017

My condolences to the James Family. Keeping you all in my tboughts.
She was truly of one my greatest teachers.

Gina Velez-Balay

September 23, 2017

My sincere condolences to Muriel's family. May you find comfort in the "God of all comfort" during this time of such sorrow. 2 Cor. 1:3

September 23, 2017

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