Our beloved mother, Glenda Jean James, was born in Ada, Oklahoma, on February 17, 1936, to parents,
Scott and Zana Walker. Growing up, she and her sister, Adene Walker, were very close, as they were only a year apart. Their entire family would live in a one-room schoolhouse because their parents were both school teachers. They would move every two years, because, as Zana would say, "Your father has Gypsy feet!".
Glenda James graduated high school from Mule Shoe, Texas and later received her B.A. of Science from North Texas State, at the age of 20. Glenda was to become a school teacher herself!
Glenda had an older brother who died at birth. Her father, Scott, always wanted Glenda and her sister, Udene to remember they had a brother.
Glenda met and married Richard Wellman James, the love of her life, at age twenty-two on July 30, 1958. They met at a teacher's meeting-how romantic! Dad saw her "across a crowded room" and winked at her and she winked back! That started it all, as their song from South Pacific, the musical, went…
Glenda gave birth to Renee Jeanette James in January, 1960. Then, Glenda had Diane Denise James two years later, in April, 1962. Then, after much prayer and faith in their Lord Jesus, Rick- Richard Scott James, was born through adoption to Glenda and Richard in September, 1977.
Glenda was a loving aunt to sister Udene and brother-in-law Douglas Fortney's two daughters, Eileen and Pam Fortney. And on Richard's side of the family, Glenda was a loving aunt to Marilyn, John, and Jennifer Weed, children of sister-in-law Jeanne Weed and Brother-in-law Gordon Weed. And, Glenda is also survived by Bill and Linda Neal and Andy James, her nieces an nephews. Glenda and Dick James are now reunited in Heaven with each other as well as Dick's mother, Dorothy, and father, Leslie James, and also Dick's sisters, Alice, Pauline, and Jeanne who have gone before.
We have so many special memories of our mother, Glenda James. She always went the extra mile for her family and loved ones. She also always made sure her children and their friends would have a way to church. Glenda was brought up Baptist- we went as a family to Downey First Baptist, and now, to Community Baptist Church of Fallbrook. Glenda herself placed her faith in the Lord Jesus as a young child of ten.
Her daughter, Renee, gave her six grandchildren; Russell and Matthew, the twins, then Autumn and then Nathaniel, and later on, Daniel and Cristina. Her son, Rick, gave her grandchildren Francesca, Larissa, and Landon, as well as Michael, Jerry, and Tessa through marriage to his wife, Nina James. Her great-grandchildren are in order of birth as follows: Shelby and RJ Johnson, belonging to Autumn and Robert Johnson, then Russell and Ali's three boys, Michael, Liam and Flynn Hathaway, then, Shaylynn, daughter of Cristina and Andrew Lamar-Ryan; finally, Daniel and Melissa Silburn's two daughters Kate and Andrea Silburn.
As a person, Glenda was a very strong individual. She was always very generous with her time, her treasure, and her talent. When asked what meant the most to her in life, she replied, "I love all children!". Glenda showed her love of children every day at work at La Paloma Elementary as a crossing guard, substitute teacher, and even as a substitute nurse. Wherever she went people would always come up to her and say, "I remember you! You were my crossing guard!". Glenda retired at age seventy-nine from La Paloma. Glenda's special wave and saying of "have a nice day" made her an icon of sorts to our community here in Fallbrook.
We will always remember Glenda James, our mother, as a woman of faith and love.