Johnnie James

Services will be 3:00 pm Friday at Amarillo First Nazarene Church, 5201 S. Soncy, with interment at Llano Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Home, 1702 5th Ave. Canyon, where she may be viewed until 8 pm Wednesday and Thursday, and until noon Friday. The family will be at the funeral home from 6:30 A??? 8:00 pm on Thursday. Johnnie was born June 26, 1915 in Stephens County, Oklahoma, to Ross and Mattie Roach. She grew up on farms near Duncan, Oklahoma and graduated from Duncan High School. She went to work for the telephone company in Duncan and then transferred to Pampa, Texas where she married Wilburn M. James, January 1, 1939. They moved to Amarillo soon after and she remained here the rest of her life. Johnnie was a wonderful mom, grandmother, and friend. Hers was a life well lived, in service to Christ, her family, and people in need. She was active in Amarillo First Church of the Nazarene most of her adult life where she taught Sunday School for decades and had a special heart for missions and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for 42 years, retiring as manager of the Amarillo Traffic Office in 1980. In retirement, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, High Plains Food Bank, and HOSTS. She was faithful to visit and encourage the sick and others in need. She often provided meals and housekeeping for friends and members of her congregation when she learned of a need. She was love on the move into her 91st year. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1990, and a brother, Charles Roach of Ada, Oklahoma. Survivors include sisters Rossie Rowland of Harrah, Oklahoma and Faye Baskett of Amarillo; son Ronald and daughter-in-law Nellie James of Amarillo; grandsons Lynn James of Amarillo, Paul Barker of Lubbock, Texas, Terry Barker of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and great-grandchildren Jerah and Jenna James, Jaye and Todd Barker, and Sabrina and Krista Merritt. She had close and active ties with numerous nieces and nephews who also survive her. The family would like to express its thanks and commendation to BSA Hospice and Riverstone Assisted Living for their thoughtful and compassionate care during Johnnie"s journey home. The family suggests memorials be to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries; 5201 S Soncy, Amarillo, Texas 79119 or The Salvation Army; P.O. Box 2490, Amarillo, Texas 79105.