Alma L. James

LAUREL - Alma L. James was born Wilhelmina Alma Lovely, April 5, 1914. She passed away at her home on Feb. 7, 2006.
Her parents, Ora Bonaparte Lovely and Wilhelmina Loges, homesteaded north of Barber, Mont. Alma was born in Deer Lodge because her mother went to her parent's home, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Loges, who owned the historical Irvine Home there. She and her brothers, Willis, Kuert and Eugene, were raised on the homestead and had tales of warming twin colts by the stove and had cart and horse rides to school. She attended high school in Deer Lodge and graduated from Franklin High School and received a Life Scholarship to the Pacific Business University of Portland.
One of the highlights of her life was being on Burton K. Wheeler's staff in Washington, D.C., during the late '30s and '40s. She and her boss, Ashley C. Roberts, ran the State Parks Division in Helena for many years. Upon retirement, she renewed her artistic talents (she loved flowers) with china painting, taught classes in both Helena and Laurel, and was President of the State Association of China Painters in 1981.
She is the last of her family, and is survived by her daughter, Diane and Mike McCoy, along with Jake and Becky of Laurel; and by her son, John Powers, along with Jad and Tyler of West Melbourne, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by daughter-in-law, Debbie Powers and grandson, Willy McCoy.
She has inspired many throughout her life and we thank God for her. Memorials are suggested to the Helping Hands of Hospice.
Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel was in charge of cremation.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Laurel. Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Church.