Obituary of Muriel C.E. James

21.SEP.07

Muriel Christobella Edwina James was born on February 7, 1915, at Lowmans Windward in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She was the first of five children born to Benjamin Reynoldson James, (B.R. James) the legendary Vincentian educator, and Gladys James, nee Lougheed. The only surviving child of that union is Olive, who has traveled from St. Vincent to be here this evening.

Muriel received her primary education at the Brighton Methodist School, where her father was head-teacher. She then attended the Girls’ High School, where she excelled academically, becoming one of the first internal scholarship winners at that institution.{{more}}

After completing her education, the best available to Vincentians of her generation, she followed in her father’s illustrious footsteps and became a teacher, a vocation that consumed her entire working live in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She began her teaching career at the Belair Anglican School, then moved to the Barrouallie Anglican, Tequila Anglican and the Kingstown Anglican School. She served for more than one period in many of these establishments, including the elite Kingstown Anglican School, first in the 1940’s, and latterly, from the late 1950’s until her retirement.

‘Miss James’, as she was affectionately known to all, retired from the teaching profession in 1970.

She migrated to the United States of America in 1973 and pursued a new career in the nursing profession, in which she was engaged until her final retirement. She remained very active thereafter.

Muriel Christobella Edwina James died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, August 22, 2007.

She is survived by three of her four children: Jacqueline Boucher, Bernice Peters, and Margaret ‘Yolande’ Smith; sons-in-law, Rudolph, Winston and Thomas; grand-children: Kurt, Heather, Kerry, Michele, Kwasi, Rohan, Tammy, Thonya, Tosha and Winston Jr; great-grandchildren: Carlene, Akira, Elijah and Taylor; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

On behalf of the family of our beloved mother, Muriel James, I would like to extend our gratitude and sincere appreciation for the solidarity and support extended to us during this period of loss. You have helped us to say farewell to Murie in exactly the way she would have loved, a celebration of her life.

I will be remiss if I did not make special mention of the following: Fr. Bonner, Deacon Kirton, Mr. Francis, members of the Vestry and Laity of St. Albans Church. The Rev. Dr. Glyder Beach, Rev. Alric Skerrit, the funeral director, Mr. Raphael Adams and all those in a myriad of ways who contributed in strengthening the family for this earthly farewell. Thank You All.