Mildred Arlene James
Arlene James, 103 years young, sister, wife, mother, children’s worker, teacher and community volunteer, was called to her eternal home on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.
Mrs. James was born Aug. 31, 1918, in Jamestown, N.Y. She was the daughter of Harold and Esther Benson. Preceding in her death was her husband, Leslie James; two brothers: Robert Benson and George Benson; and a sister, Audrey Bardo.
She resided in the Falconer-Jamestown vicinity until 1968, when she moved to Clearwater, Fla. Returning to New York in 1994, and then on to East Ellijay, Ga., to live with her daughter, Marla and son-in- law.
She was the secretary and receptionist for the former Van Stee Corporation in Jamestown and secretary for the First Baptist Church of Jamestown, N.Y. She served many years as a children’s work-er, both within the community and her church. She also served the local PTA, holding various office positions. Her main love was many years spent teaching kindergarten and Sunday school. She was also a member of the Jamestown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
While in Clearwater, Fla., she served as a certified counselor for the Bay Area Pregnancy Center and volunteered at various nursing homes, always ready to serve.
Arlene looked on the bright side of life and enjoyed making others smile. Always having a cheerful note or joke on hand to lift one’s spirit. She would often say, “without GOD and a sense of humor, life would be quite hopeless.” Her favorite life verse was, “trust in the Lord and do good.”
She enjoyed visiting with and entertaining friends, hiking, playing games, working with children, collecting, roller skating, line dancing, volunteering as well as taking educational classes with friends.
She is survived by her brother, James Benson of Arizona; three daughters: Vicky (Bob) Ord of Albion, N.Y., Marla (Stephen) Swanberg of East Ellijay, Ga., and Valene (Bud) Dalton of Diamond City, Ark.; three grandchildren: Kerri Neilans, Scott Swanberg and Amy Yelverton; great-grandchildren: Stephen Nielans, Emma Yelverton and Sydney Swanberg; and a great-grandson soon to be born; along with several nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Falconer First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial suggestions are First Baptist Church, 37 West Falconer Street, Falconer, NY 14733, or Hillcrest Baptist Church, 40 Halleck Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, or the Les James Sports Memorial at Falconer High School, Falconer, NY.