Wilma "Maxine" James, 99, of Arcadia, Kansas died at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the Arma Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arma, Kansas.
Mrs. James was born May 24, 1923 in rural Arcadia, Kansas the daughter of Dell R. and Delia M. Blincoe Leist. Maxine was a retired school teacher after 54 years of teaching in rural Missouri country schools, Arcadia, Mulberry, Hepler, and Girard schools. She lived in the Arcadia area most of her life. She was raised in rural Arcadia and graduated from Mindenmines High School. She later attended Kansas State Teachers College (PSU) and received a bachelor's and master's degree in education and also a specialist's degree in education. She taught in several area schools retiring in Girard. She was a Chiefs fan and also liked going to the casinos with family. She married Obie H. James on November 20, 1943 in Ft. Scott, Kansas. Mr. James preceded her in death June 19, 1978. She was of the Christian Faith. She was Past Patron of the Eastern Star and a life member, a member of the Mirza Nobelles, and a member of the retired Teachers Association in Southeast Kansas.
Survivors include a son, Jerry (Marilyn) James of rural Arcadia; a daughter, Debbie (Terry) Vanderpool of Frontenac; three granddaughters, Sarah (Jeremy) Rakes, Melissa (Aaron) Coester, and Julye (Josh) Smith; and seven great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Coester, Alex Coester, Madison Coester, Jaxton Smith, Javin Smith, Cooper Rakes, and Russ Rakes.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Obie, a brother, Raymond Leist, and a sister, Ethelyn Boatright.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2023 at the Bedene Funeral Home in Arma, Kansas, with Rev. Jim Sukraw officiating. Burial will be at the Pittsburg Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Bedene Chapel, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Sunday. The family suggests memorials to the Mirza Shrine Transportation Fund. Donations may be sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712.
