Retha James

MARION-Retha James, 73, of Marion, passed away at 4:30 PM, Monday, March 28, 2005 at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 31, 2005 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Marlin Otte officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at the funeral home. Burial will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Energy. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mrs. James was born on November 4, 1931 in Marion, Illinois to Charles and Ethanell (Lannom) Thetford. She married Calvin James on June 14, 1952 in Piggott, Arkansas and he survives. Other survivors include daughter, Lana Murphy of Marion; son and daughter-in-law, Kent and Kim James of Murphysboro; grandchildren, Emily Murphy, Garrett James and Zach James; brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Nancy Thetford of Marion and Carl and Lily Thetford of Sedalia, Missouri; sisters and brother-in-law, Myrl and Joe Upchurch and Ruth Hudgens all of Marion; sister-in-law, Alberta Dawson of Marion; brother-in-law, Edward James of Herrin; several nieces and nephews; and special friends and neighbors that loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and two infant children. Mrs. James began working as a telephone operator, and later worked at Green`s IGA in Murphysboro and Kroger before she retired. She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marion