Althea Maria James

St. Martinville – A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2015, at Notre Dame Catholic Church for Althea Marie James, 59, who passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at Dauterive Hospital.
Visiting hours were observed from 7 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Monday at Notre Dame Catholic Church. A rosary was prayed at 9 a.m. on Monday.
The Very Reverend Thomas James, SVD, VE, officiated at the Funeral Mass with Rev. Michael Sucharski, SVD, concelebrating. Interment followed at St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville.
Althea served as the Choir Director of Expressions at Notre Dame Catholic Church for many years. She once traveled to Paris, France for a singing engagement and also sang for celebrations such as weddings, funerals, and political events with the James’ Family. Music and singing were her passion in life, but she also loved to help others organize events and doing volunteer work for various organizations. Because of her dedicated contributions to her community, she was selected as the “Woman of the Year” by the Kiwanis Club of St. Martinville. She never met a stranger ... once you met Althea, you just loved her. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.
She is survived by her brothers, Curtis James Sr. and wife Rose of Lafayette, and Chris Christopher James and wife Peggy of St. Martinville; her sisters, Helen Bourda of St. Martinville, Felicia Mercier and husband Walter of St. Martinville, Philomena James of Inglewood, Cal., Joanne Pratt and husband Alexander Jr. of St. Martinville, Myrtle St. Julien and husband Conrad Sr., and Carmella Marshall and husband Ed of Harvey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by parents, Elias James Sr. and Anita Wiltz James; her daughter Jenna Lynne James; her sisters, Anita Mae James and Carmen Ann James; her brother, Elias James Jr.; and her brother-in-law, Joseph Bourda.
Pallbearers were David Mercier, Michael Mercier, Carl Pratt, Terrance Phillips, Courtney Martin and Steven Mercier.
Honorary pallbearers were Curtis James Sr., Alexander Pratt Jr., Walter Mercier, Conrad St. Julien Sr. and Ed Marshall.
Pellerin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.