Barbara Jeanne James

Barbara J. James, 81, died peacefully on Monday, February 6, 2017, at her home in Port Neches, Texas.
Barbara was born in Galesburg, Illinois, on March 25, 1935, to Wilson and Avalon Smith. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bobby Joe James, of Many, Louisiana. She is survived by her daughter, Joy Frantz (Robert) of Humble, Texas, Greg James (Jan) of Mesa, Arizona, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She leaves behind her precious menagerie of animals: dogs “Trixie” and “Gypsy,” cat “Baby Cat,” and turtles “Lucky,” “Frick,” and “Frack.”
Barbara loved the friends she made through her membership with American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and her regular pokeno group. She enjoyed bus trips to travel to Marksville to visit the casinos. And she was an avid advocate for animals through her support of the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, the National Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Kirbyville, Texas.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Melancon’s Funeral Home on Saturday, February 11, at 10:00am. Melancon’s is located at 1605 Ave H., Nederland, TX 77627. The family would welcome attendees to share their stories about “Miss Barbara” at the service.
Barbara expressed to her family that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made to organizations that she supported. She said, “Flowers die. Donations will help animals live.” The family would be grateful for donations to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge ( http://www.turpentinecreek.org ) or The Humane Society of Southeast Texas ( https://www.humanesocietyofsoutheasttexas.org ).