Ruth Mae James

Ruth Mae James earned her wings to heaven on April 16, 2025 in Victorville, California, at the age of 74. She was born on September 2, 1950 in Leyte, Philippines to Nellie Ola. She became an American citizen when Robert L. Jenkins married Nellie and brought her and her brother Jose Jenkins to the United States in 1952. Ruth was an independent and curious child. She loved to venture in the Azores and Japan and would tell us many stories of her adventures. As an Air Force family, they moved frequently, but those were her two favorites places to live. Stationed at George Air Force Base, they finally settled in Victorville in the 60’s. She graduated from Victor Valley High School in 1968, attended Victor Valley College for two years, then transferred to the University of California in Riverside. She married Wenford James Jr. on February 14, 1971 and had her only child Beatrice in May. She only had one week left of college and was determined to finish on time. She went back to school when her child was only one week old. She earned her BA in Liberal Arts with a minor in History. She earned her life teaching credential in 1972 and taught at Oro Grande Elementary School for 28 years. She loved the power of education and knew that it was the only thing no one could take away from you. She went back to school and earned her MA in Education from Azusa Pacific in 1981. Ruth was humble, loving and kind. She was a role model to many, especially her siblings. She was the first in the family to attend college. She loved teaching and became the reading coordinator for the last five years of her career. She only retired because she was recovering from one of the four battles of cancer she had to face. She was a survivor of ovarian, throat, ear and brain cancer that were not related. She was known as the family “warrior” and “walking miracle.” She had a zest for life and would do her best to look for the silver lining. She appreciated the little things and was not materialistic. After her first battle, her mantra was “Don’t worry, be happy” and “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” She trusted God and was a faithful servant. She was a devout Catholic and attended St. Joan of Arc Church for many years. She taught her daughter to trust God in all things and always put Him first. Everything you need will follow and line up as it’s supposed to do. She read the Bible everyday and said a rosary to begin her day in the latter days of her life. Her favorite pastime was playing bingo. She also liked to travel and take impromptu trips to visit her sisters wherever they were. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Nellie Jenkins, her brothers Nicasio Canila and Jose Jenkins; and granddaughter Amari Ruth Williams. She is survived by her sisters, Maxelinda Canila (Nicasio), Julie Bergeron (Kenneth), Carmelita Madison (Jon), and Mary Garcia (Julio). Her only child, Beatrice James (Nathaniel); nieces Carmelita Canila Agulto (Tomas), Christine Canila (Juan), Nellie Jean Jenkins, Jennifer Jenkins, Jayna Vernon (Daunte), and Sahara Garcia; nephews Jerrold Lacy (Consolacion), Jordan Lacy, Jovahn Bergeron, Jaylon Bergeron, Oliver Madison (Celeste), Christopher Madison, Schquan Carr, and Skyler Garcia; grandsons Nicholas Williams, Bobby Williams and Nathaniel Williams IV; several great nieces and nephews and life long friends. She will be missed tremendously and be forever in our hearts. See below for maps and driving directions for the services in California and Georgia. My Mother’s Mantra Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace) Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Ruth Mae James

September 2, 1950 - April 16, 2025

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Ruth Mae James

September 2, 1950 - April 16, 2025

COVID-19

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

Our Services

About Us

Obituaries

What We Do

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support