Ethel James was born May 4, 1940, in Bonita, Louisiana to Veolea Davis and Lee Crosley. She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age. Ethel graduated from Mineral County High School in Hawthorne, Nevada in 1957. She attended Sacramento College and later completed a degree in History at San Francisco State University. Ethel married Fred H. James in 1964; to this union a daughter Lisa Michelle, was born.

Ethel was employed by the Federal Government for a number of years. Later, she was employed as a secretary at Van Bourg and Associates Labor Law Firm. Following this, Ethel became Personnel Director at the West Oakland Health Council where she remained until retiring in 1997. An avid reader and gardener, Ethel never missed an opportunity to visit a bookstore or nursery. She somehow also found time to enjoy casinos in surrounding areas. She appreciated several genres of music and in recent years, enjoyed attending zydeco and blues events with her daughter.

Ethel was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Fred H. James, Jr., her parents, and four siblings – Geraldine, Delois, Carl and Gayle. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Lisa Michelle; siblings Evelyn Bell (Jerrell), Sheila Crosley, Anthony Crosley, and Frederick Crosley; an aunt, Peronia Canidate, mother in law, Anna M. James, three brothers in law – Rev. Larry D. James (Patricia), Dennis James, and Bruce James; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. She will forever be loved and missed by all who knew her.

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