Leatha Mae James, 84, of Clinton, Iowa, passed away at the Alverno on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 14, at Lemke Funeral Homes - South Chapel. A visitation will occur from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the Lemke Funeral Homes – South Chapel. Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral service with burial at Clinton Lawn Cemetery at a later date. Lemke Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements.
Leatha was born July 5, 1932 in Forrest City, Arkansas, the daughter of Mark and Mae Alice (Wofford) Wade. She was united in marriage to Maud James on May 1, 1948 in Parkin, Arkansas.
Leatha was a homemaker and for 36 years worked as a housekeeper for a prominent family in Clinton.
Leatha was a life-long member of the Second Baptist Church in Clinton, she was also a member of the NAACP and was very active in the community. Leatha utilized her motherly instincts to help and guide troubled youth as well as adults all of her life; she was affectionately referred to as "Mom" by all those she helped. She loved providing for her family, especially when it came time to cook – she was the best cook around. Above all she loved her family very much and will be sadly missed by all those who knew her.
Leatha is survived by her five daughters – Maudie (Leon) Walton of GA, Deloris (Ron Pettis) James of Clinton, IA, Zelda (Eric) Collins of St. Paul MN, Kathy (Joseph) Jackson of Clinton, IA, Helen James of Clinton, IA; three sons – Manuel James of Clinton, IA; David (Melinda) James of Clinton, IA and Jimmy (Wanda) Hardwick of Clinton, IA; 27 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 10 great great-grandchildren; one sister – Maxine (Reo) Royston of Texarkana, TX, with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceding Leatha in death were her parents, her husband, two daughters – Charlotte and Jessie and one son - Robert
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