Faye James was remembered Tuesday not just as a professional office manager but also as a friend, mentor, mother and for her faith in God.

James, 65, died Sunday after a long battle with breast cancer. She had been office manager of the Fuller Agency for many years.

She became an advocate for the Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy Center when her daughter, Melissa, was diagnosed with the disease. In fact, James and Todd’s mother are recognized as founders of the center.

Throughout her life, working with the center was a part of James’ life, said Marilyn Stout, who served on the board of directors with James.

She had attended the walk benefiting the center in September, Stout said.

Pat Pack, the center’s therapist, was tearful as she recalled her relationship with James.

“Faye was just a remarkable lady,” Pack said. “She was smart and a good, straight thinker. Many times when I would come to her with some struggle I was dealing with, whether personal or work-related, she could kind of see through the emotions of the moment and give me really wise advice.”

James served as the agency’s treasurer for many years, bringing with her the expertise of her professional life and her compassion for the center’s clients and families.

James also always lived her life by Christian principles, Pack said.

“She was always faithful, she loved the Lord and let the Lord shine in all her relationships,” Pack said.

Beth Cooper knew James through their relationship at First Baptist Church, where James had been her Sunday School teacher during Cooper’s college years.

“She cared for each one of us and loved each one of us just like her own,” Cooper said.

Ken Weddle also knew James through their relationship at church.

“She was a really down to earth person that lived her Christianity every day,” he said.

Jerry James described his wife as “a beautiful woman, with a beautiful life.”

“We danced through life together,” he said. “We traveled and we loved and we were happy 99.9 percent of the time.”

In addition to her husband, James is survived by three children: Dr. Edward James, an emergency room physician in the Dallas area; Greg Ashwood James, who until recently worked in the family business; and Melissa, a scheduler and office manager for U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahart, R-Kan.



Services

Services for Faye James are set for 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church under the direction of Bradley Funeral Service of Muskogee.