of Benton, AR

July 17, 1935 - May 23, 2023

Joyce Marie Glass James of Benton died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on May 23, 2023. She was 87.
Born at home in Lonsdale, AR on July 17, 1935 to Lawrence and Lillie Mae Glass, Joyce moved to 104 Maple Street in Benton when she was in 4th grade. There she lived until she graduated from Benton High School in 1953. After high school she attended Draughon's Practical Business College in Little Rock and worked as a secretary.
After meeting "that fast-driving" Don James, they were married on December 21, 1954 in Benton, followed by a honeymoon in San Antonio. She was a faithful military wife, moving her young family some 15 times during her late husband's career with the U.S. Air Force to places such as San Antonio, Amarillo, Big Springs and Victoria, TX; Loring, ME; Little Rock; Greenville, SC; Lyon, France; Wichita Falls, TX and West Hampton Beach, Long Island, NY, before finally returning home to Benton in 1971 to raise their family. They were blessed with two sons, Michael Richard James and Patrick Russell James. In Benton, Joyce worked at the Saline County Courthouse in the Assessor's and Collector's offices. She was a loving servant to Jesus; a third-generation member of First Baptist Church of Benton and an active member of her Genesis Sunday School Class. Joyce was also a devoted Razorback basketball fan, never missing a broadcast.
A magnificent cook, she loved entertaining and feeding her family and especially loved having them all gathered in her home on holidays and special occasions. She loved adventures with her family and always looked forward to her and Dona's yearly trips to Brownsville, TX for the winter, helped plan her yearly high school reunions, went to lunch every Sunday after church with friends and helped host weekly get-togethers playing Dominoes. Above all, though, her heart belonged to Don and Brady Mountain at Lake Ouachita, where their favorite pastime was to spend quiet evenings together in their camper after glorious sunny days spent with Don chauffeuring Joyce around the lake, where she cut quite the figure on her water skis until the age of 62.
Joyce's spirit was filled with kindness and graciousness, which she demonstrated through her love for her family and friends. She was a proud and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was totally devoted to both her sons, daughters-in-law, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was a beloved Mother and Nanny.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Don V. James; her parents, Lawrence and Lillie Glass; brothers, Hollis and Harley Glass and sister, Betty Jean Glass Reed.
She is survived by her two sons, Michael James (Jan) of Dallas and Patrick James (Paige) of Little Rock; four grandchildren, Jennifer James Cook (Paul), Becklien James Merit (Steve), Spencer James and William James (Elizabeth); great-grandchildren, Gabby and James Cook; brother-in-law, Wayne James (Kathy); sisters-in-law, Evelyn James and Ann Purdue; devoted and special caregiver, Amanda Scott and many nieces and nephews. A special thanks to Dr. Mark Martindale; you will not meet a kinder, more compassionate man.
Visitation will be at 1:00- 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 28th at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home. The funeral will be held immediately after at 2:30 p.m. with burial to follow at Gravel Hill Cemetery. Dr. Rick Grant will officiate. Joyce had a great love for flamingos. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you wear something pink.

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