VIRGINIA MAURINE JAMES

Einan's Funeral Home

Virginia Maurine (Carte) James passed away peacefully at Kadlec Regional Medical Center following a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Virginia was born on October 1, 1924, in West Plains, Missouri, to Cliff and Lillie Carte and died on July 11, 2011, at the age of 86.

Virginia graduated from West Plains High School with the class of 1943. On July 16, 1943, she was united in marriage to Ralph W. James, also of West Plains. Ralph served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and Virginia worked in the shipyards in San Francisco while Ralph was serving in England. They were truly a part of the Greatest Generation. In 1951, they moved to Richland, Washington, where Virginia worked at Carmichael Middle School as a head cook for many years. She was a member of the Richland Church of Christ. Virginia was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be sorely missed by all of those that had the privilege of knowing her.

Virginia is survived by the love of her life and husband, Ralph. They were married for 68 years. Also surviving her is her son, Rodney W. James Sr., Spokane; grandson Rodney 'Scooter' Walker James Jr., Richland; granddaughter Emily James; sister Maxine 'Mickey' (Carte) Henry, Lees Summit, Mo.; and sister-in-law Eloise Lee, Richland. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Lillie Carte, brother Norman Carte, all from West Plains, Mo.; mother-in-law, Marie Elliott, Richland; sister-in-law Lovell (James) Daley and Ardie Dora (James) Hoglen.

Funeral services will be held at the Richland Church of Christ on Friday, July 15. at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens following the service. A viewing will be held for Virginia on Thursday, July 14, from 5-7 p.m. at Einan's Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.einansfuneralhome.com under the obituary section.