Virginia Lou Stephens James' Obituary
A native West Texan, Virginia married Gerald R. James of Dallas, July 7, 1956. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gerald R. James, son, Gerald R. James, Jr., wife, Laura, grandchildren, Julianne James Isenberg and husband Jonathan Isenberg and Jeff James of Dallas. Her daughter, Jennifer James Lamberth, husband Bradley, grandchildren Ryan, Reid and Adalee Lamberth of Rockwall. Also survived by sister, Shirley and husband General Jack Martin of San Antonio, and brother, General Lewis Stephens and wife, Barbara of Dallas and San Angelo, Texas. Also, niece Sheri Martin Price, San Antonio, nephew, John Stephens II and wife Emily of Dallas, Elizabeth Stephens Wickham and husband Brad of Wichita, Kansas, niece, Julie James Punjak and husband Marc of Dallas, and Jon James and wife Stephanie of Midland. Additional numerous great nieces and nephews. Involved at all levels of education, Virginia taught at the United Armed Forces Institute in Munich, Germany while Gerald Sr. was stationed with the helicopter unit of the U.S. Army. She was Campus Administrator, District Director of Curriculum and Instruction in Brownwood, Texas, during which time the American Association of University Women listed her in the Outstanding Young Women of America yearbook. At the Education Service Center, Region 10, she coordinated Federal Programs as well as State Programs in the Dallas metroplex area and eight surrounding counties. Federal Programs included National Science Foundation and Title I. State Programs included serving as a board member with the State Bar of Texas Law Related Education and the Dallas Bar Association LRE program. Also Teacher of the Year Awards Program with the Texas Rangers Baseball Association. She was a graduate of Howard Payne University and held a masters degree in administration from Tarleton State University. Advanced doctoral work at the University of Cincinnati was in educational administration. Virginia served at Park Cities Baptist Church as greeter in the Narthex for over a quarter of a century. She sang in the Sanctuary Choir and served as President and also sang in the Senior Adult Notables Choir. In addition to being a member of the Senior Adult Council and serving as Vice President, Virginia was an integral part of numerous PCBC mission trips to Russia and Greece and Sanctuary Choir trips — singing in cathedrals throughout England, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland. Highlights of her travels included study tours of Paul’s journeys of Italy, Greece, and Greek Isles with the Park Cities Baptist Church group as well as In His Steps Journeys throughout the Holy Land. Visitation will be at Restland Funeral Home on Sunday, December 21, 2014 from 4:30-6:30. Services will be at Park Cities Baptist Church in the sanctuary on Monday, December 22, 2014 at 1:00 pm.
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