Ethel James

Funeral services for Ms. Ethel M. Bates James, age 83 of Jonesboro formerly of Kelly, will be 10 AM Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia with Bro. R.C. Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Welcome Home Cemetery in Grayson. Visitation will be Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 5 PM to 9 PM. Ms. James was born on July 25, 1926 to the union of David and Leona Johnson Bratton and passed from this life on Monday, April 12, 2010 at her residence. On October 3, 2007, she was honored with the Legacy of Achievement Award by the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs during the Older Worker Week celebration. Earned for her past 23 years of employment with Wal-Mart. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands: Melvin Bates and Alma James, five brothers and three sisters. Survivors include her son; Rube Bates and wife, Sherry, daughter; Gaytha Johnson and husband, R.D., three step-sons, three step-daughters, three brothers: John Maurice Bratton, Vergil Bratton and Darrel Bratton, six sisters: Modean Buckalew, Ruby Clark, Catherine Warford, Clara Rutledge, Virginia Cruse and Ruth Gintz, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Sidney Eubanks, James Bratton, Mitch Bratton, David Bratton, Wayne Nelson and Buddy Bailes. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Carol Bates and Tommy Parker. The family would like to send a special appreciation to Dr. Frank Sartor for his thoughtfulness during their mother's illness.