Violet Josephine James

1935 - 2012

Violet Josephine James died July 2, 2012, at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. She was born on April 4, 1935, in Hoonah, Alaska. Her Tlingit name was T'aasoo. She was Naatlaa of Kaagwaantaan Kook hit. She was preceded in death by husband Ronald Willie James of 22 years, her parents George Obert Sr. and Frances Emma Marvin Obert Johnson Williams; stepfathers Leslie Johnson Sr. and Roy Williams; sistersDora Mejay and Kathleen Johnson; and brothers George and Wilfred Obert, George W. Obert and Wilfred, Leslie, Tyrone, Allen and Victor Johnson.
She was raised in Hoonah, Excursion and Sitka during her youth and returned to Hoonah in her early adult life. At which time she married her ?rst husband Alexander T. Stevens II raising her six children with her husband in Hoonah and eventually moving to Juneau. In her prime years she remarried to Ronald W. James of which he welcomed with open heart and arms her children.
Her family writes that Violet loved to watch sports, and above all the NBA, her favorite team was the LA Lakers. She also enjoyed watching WWF wrestling with her children and grandchildren. Violet was known for her sense of humor and her recognizeable laugh. She is also well known for her style and pattern of knitting and crocheting which is something her children and community will forever cherish. Violet was the type of woman who would always provide help to anyone in her community and would bring them into her home to help them learn traditional ways.
She is survived by her children Patricia Murchison, Alex Stevens III, Angela Stevens, Annette (Gary) Ulmer, Dorothy (Danny) Smith, Samantha DesArmo and Roxanne Olvera; her grandchildren, Jason Williams, Jacy Hughes, Alex Stevens IV, Jacob James, Ronnelle James, Lauralee and Seth Peters, Connor and Alexis Ulmer, Powers DesArmo, Mark Grumman, Aaron Sterling, Sophie Olvera and great grandchildren Chantal Keen-Dumas, Kamden, Carmen, Jayla Hughes, Aaliyah Johnson, Zoie James, Jarrel, Lona James and Sonja Peters. She is survived by her Tribal children Emma Williams; Ed Mercer, Loretta Williams, Marie Howard, Bertina Johnson, Donna and John Perrin and children of Emma and Franco Williams; Franco Jr., Jeff and daughter Colleen Williams. She is also survived by her brothers Glenn, Keith, Pedro Johnson, Leroy Williams, and Harold McKinley; sisters Sylvia Obert Johnson, Gladys Skeek and Yvonne Gilda, adopted sister Judy Gordon, Hazel Hope, Priscella Mooney, Rita Marvin, Ida Rabbat, Stuie Jacobs; Tribal Sisters Lilly White, Mable Lawrence; Uncles Richard Marvin Sr., Harvey Marvin; Sister-In-Law Evelyn Richardson, Cathy Felipe and Thelma Charles of Juneau; nephew Michael Obert and several aunts, uncles, cousins, neices and nephews Raven Relatives; Lillian Hillman, Genevieve Cook, Diane Carrier, Delores, Norma, Dan, Phillip, Harry, John, Myrtle, Sarah, Dean Sharclane, Charlie Sharclane; Carl, George, Larry, Reggie, Wally, Charlotte Marvin; Dorothy, Mary, Barbara Tarr; John, Kathy, Willis Marvin. Moses and Paul Jr. Smith; Kenneth Grant, George Grant, Alice Haldane, Ruth Johnson, Willie Grant, Maxine and Della Brouilette, Charlie Joseph's daughter; Ethel McKinen, Loretta Ness, Wilma Bacon.
She was a member of Tlingit-Haida, Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 12 of Hoonah and a shareholder of Sealaska Corp., Goldbelt Corp. and Huna Corp. Violet was loved by so many in the community, that many called her Mom, Sister, Auntie or Grandma. To honor Violets wishes, an immediate Memorial was held on July 6th at Peratrovich Hall and a family burial at Alaska Memorial on July 10, 2012.
Pallbearers: Peter Marvin, John Hillman, Wally Marvin, Phil Nielsen, Chuck Miller, Reggie Marvin, Brian James, John James, Edwin D. Mercer and Darryl Williams. Honorary Pallbearers: Jacob White, Doug James, Franklin Johnson, Herman Davis, Larry Marvin, George Bennett, Ethel Makinen, Adeline St. Clair, Loretta Ness, Erma Button, Trudy Skan, Kathy Marvin, Stuwart Mills, Kenneth Grant, Carl Marvin Jr., Clifford Johnson, John Martin, Lillian Hillman, Alice Haldane, Lillian Young, Wilma Bacon, Starina Johnson, Mary Tarr and Barbara Franks.
The family would like to Thank the Russian Orthodox Church, Alaska Memorial, Bartlett Regional Hospital and Alaska Native Sisterhood.
Your prayers and condolences have comforted us in this time of loss.

The family can be reached at: PO Box 34445, Juneau, AK 99803 or Violet James at Alaska USA.