Betty James

Betty Jean (McAteer) James 1926-2022 Betty Jean McAteer James was born October 4, 1926, in Birmingham, Alabama. She died March 8, 2022, in Houston, TX. Betty was the only child of Lester and Heppie McAteer and grew up in Atlanta. While attending the University of Georgia she met and married John Earl James. They celebrated 71 years of marriage June 20, 2017. Betty and John moved to Houston in 1949, where they made their home and raised their family.

Betty’s love of her family, church, and friends was evident in her service. She volunteered to help in all of her childrens’ activities. At St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church she was active in the Women of the Church, including membership in Circle Groups and the weekly Prayer Group. Betty was a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher as well. She also volunteered as a docent at Bayou Bend.

Betty had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed entertaining in her home with family gatherings and church related events. She was an avid reader and loved to learn. Her many trips to Laity Lodge in the Hill Country bore witness to her faith-filled journey.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, and her daughter, Janet Howard. She will be missed by her son, John James (Kathryn), daughters Beth Dabney (Jim), Rebecca Federal (Keegan) and son-in-law Harvey Howard, as well as 11 grandchildren: Robert Remkes Jr. (Collette), Jennifer Anderson (Kris), Michael Deniger, Jaimie Kelly (Tim), Bonnie Thew, Matthew James(Jennifer), Kevin James (Janet), Ellen Rigney (Nathan), Peter James (Morgan), Hannah Horsfield (Andrew), Rachel James; and 10 great grandchildren: Alexis Remkes, Cheyenne Olsen, Matthew Anderson, Natalie James, Kayla James, Courtney James, Charlotte James, Topper Rigney, Rosie Rigney, Michka Thew.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 5308 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, Texas 77005, on Saturday, April 2nd, at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at the Houston National Cemetery.