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Judy Davis, 90 Lyncourt Drive, Tryon, NC 28782, (828) 859-0345

Marion "Hope" Williams James, 91, of Cinnamon Hill Drive, Franklin, passed away Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, at home.

Born May 16, 1917, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Margaret Counihan White and Harold White. She was fostered by Mary Voorhis Schofield Williams and Fletcher Williams of New York City, and later by Rose Williams (sister to Fletcher Williams) of Newark, N.Y.

She attended the Friends Seminary School in New York City and graduated from high school in Newark, N.Y. She graduated from The Good Shepherd Hospital School of Nursing in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1940. While in nursing training at Syracuse, N.Y., she met her husband of 64 years, the late George D. James Jr., who preceded her in death on Sept. 16, 2006. They were married in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas, on March 12, 1942, and eventually settled in Unadilla, N.Y., where they raised their four children.

Hope worked as a nurse during WWII and continued serving as a volunteer at The Hospital in Sidney, N.Y. She was active in the United Federation of Women's Clubs and the Unadilla Methodist Church, serving many leadership positions.

While living in Franklin, she became a charter member of the Franklin Federated Women's Club. Hope was also a member of the Republican Women's Club.

In 1984, Hope and George moved to the Clark's Chapel community in Franklin, and became members of the Clark's Chapel United Methodist Church. Hope was a choir member and enjoyed various church and Sunday School activities. She was a volunteer at Angel Community Hospital and as a member of the Friends of the Macon County Public Library.

Hope and George enjoyed many years traveling all over the world. Both were longtime members of the WBCCI Airstream Club and various local units.

Hope is survived by her four children, George D. James III and spouse Sally, Robert William James and spouse Cathy, Thomas David James and spouse Betsy, all of Franklin, and Jennifer Anne James Taggart and spouse John Taggart of Newburg, PA.; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, at Clark's Chapel United Methodist Church, 1999 Clark's Chapel Rd., Franklin, with Rev. Al Beck officiating.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements