JAMES, Rachel Kerr, a career missionary nurse for 52 years, passed away on April 18, 2023. She was born in Durham, N.C. on October 17, 1934. She graduated from Duke University in May 1958 with a B.S. in Nursing. On March 8, 1962, she and her husband were appointed by the International Mission Board as missionaries to the Republic of South Vietnam. She served in Vietnam for 14 years during the war as a nurse practitioner, and in many other countries for 38 years. She is survived by her husband, Samuel M. James; three living children, Deborah Winans (Chris), Stephen James (Barbara), Michael James (Elizabeth); and one deceased son, Philip James (Cyndy); 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on May 13 at First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave., Richmond, Va. 23220. Visitation to follow.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Apr. 23, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Rachel James

Sponsored by Bliley's Funeral Home Central Chapel.

13 Entries

Vietnamese Mission Board

Sent Flowers

Chuyen Tran

May 8, 2023

Vietnamese Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, and all students pray that our loving God will comfort Dr. Sam James and family when they say a temporary goodbye to Rachel James. Amen.

Daniel and Chuyen Tran

Sent Flowers

John Burns

May 7, 2023

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Durene Ngo

May 6, 2023

Our Deepest Sympathy!

It is a great blessing to meet you for the first time last Christmas, Mrs. Rachel! It turned out to be the only time... We are blessed to meet you and talk about the mission in Vietnam... Amazingly, you still remember! We thank God for sending you and Pastor James to preach Gospel to Vietnamese! Thank you for your love, your care, and your faith that encourages us to be faithful to God and do His Great Commission! Forever love!

One special thing, I remember about you is: "Have faith in God". When we asked you, if you were afraid of the war, especially when Pastor James was not at home, you said "no" because you have faith in God, He always protects His children. You also mentioned that you were taught to have bold faith in the family. Amen! Praise the LORD!

"`He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Revelation 21:4

To Mrs. Rachel Kerr James
Goodbye Mrs. Rachel for a little while
We will see you again in Heaven High
Where there is no death, no crying, no pain,
But only God's love, peace, and joy remained! - DN

Durene Ngo

May 5, 2023

One special thing, I remember about you is: "Have faith in God". When we asked you, if you were afraid of the war, especially when Pastor James was not at home, you said "no" because you have faith in God, He always protects His children. You also mentioned that you were taught to have bold faith in the family. Amen! Praise the LORD!

"`He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." - Revelation 21:4
To Mrs. Rachel Kerr James
Goodbye Mrs. Rachel for a little while
We will see you again in Heaven High
Where there is no death, no crying, no pain,
But only God's love, peace, and joy remained! - DN

Durene Ngo & Minh Huynh

May 5, 2023

Durene Ngo & Minh Huynh

May 5, 2023

Durene Ngo & Minh Huynh

May 5, 2023

Durene Ngo & Minh Huynh

May 5, 2023

Durene Ngo & Minh Huynh

May 5, 2023

Our Deepest Sympathy! THÀNH KÍNH PHÂN U!

It is a great blessing to meet you for the first time last Christmas, Mrs. Rachel! It turned out to be the only time... We are blessed to meet you and talk about the mission in Vietnam... You still remember! We thank God for sending you and Pastor James to preach Gospel to Vietnamese! Thank you for your love, your care, and your faith that encourages us to be faithful to God and do His Great Commission! Forever love!
" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7

Dear Dr. James,
We are saddened to hear that Rachael passed away. It is hard to lose a loved one who had gone through life with you for so many years. May God comfort you and your family during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.
May God be with, strengthen, and comfort you and your family during this sad time!

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."- Psalm 34:18
"Dc Giê-hô-va gn nhng ngi có lòng dau thng, và cu k nào có tâm hn thng-hi." - Thi-thiên 34:18
Minh & Durene
May 5, 2023, from Hammond, LA

Rhonda Farrell Peacock

May 3, 2023

Sam and Family, sending greetings and prayers from the Farrell family during this time of sadness. Remember praying for your over the years. Especially when you left San Francisco in the early 1960s for Vietnam. Your ministry has been use by God in my life and my dad Gene Farrell has been instrumental in Sams life as a young sailor. Thank you both for being obedient to God in service. May your family find deep comfort in this time of separation until you see your wife and mother again. Rhonda Farrell Peacock

Gerald and Brenda Burch

April 29, 2023

Lamentations 3:32
"Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love."

Separation until we are Raptured or called home is always difficult. Rachel will be greatly missed, but in Christ's unfailing love, we will see her again.

Sam, we join you and the family at this time of Celebration. We wish that we could be there, but we just want you to know that you both have been important to us in our lives and years with the IMB. Thank you and Rachel for your love, your years of ministry, and your willingness to serve other missionaries.

We are praying for you all at this time.

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