Verna Faye James, 94, of Beaumont, died Friday, February 19, 2010, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont following a stroke.

She was born October 26, 1915, in El Reno, Oklahoma, to Maude and William Henry Lorenzen. She married Isaiah James in 1936 and they moved to Beaumont in 1984.

Mrs. James was an active member of First Christian Church of Beaumont and the Stuart Class. A longtime volunteer at Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital, she worked well into her 90’s and was the 1997 Volunteer of the Year. Mrs. James also volunteered at Some Other Place and the Christmas Bureau.

Her independent and fun-loving spirit and quick wit remained with her to the end. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards, her church activities and socializing with her friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Gerald James Sr.; and two sisters, Opal Zweiacher and Oma Christianson.

She is survived by her daughter, Joan Morrow and her husband Dick of Beaumont; two stepsons, Henry James of San Antonio and Jim Winters of Odessa; four grandchildren, Michele Harrington and her husband Bill and Michael Morrow and his wife Brooke all of Beaumont, Gerald James Jr. and his wife Soli and Elizabeth James-Koehler and her husband Stefan all of Germany; two step grandchildren, Marcia Muncey and her husband Tom and Judi Winters all of Houston; eleven great-grandchildren, Will and Hayley Harrington, and Fallon and Gianna Morrow all of Beaumont; Noah, Lisa and Anthony James and Anna, Jona, Eliah and Samira Koehler all of Germany; one step great-grandson, David Muncey of Houston; and several nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at First Christian Church of Beaumont, 5290 North Caldwood, with burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A gathering of her family and friend will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday, February 22, 2010, at Broussard’s.

The family would like to thank our good shepherd, Reverend Brenda Warren of First Christian Church of Beaumont, Chaplain David Cross of Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital, and the staff of Harbor Hospice for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church of Beaumont, 5290 North Caldwood, Beaumont, Texas 77707.