Theone James

Theone Claudia Hale James, of Little Rock, 101 years young, went to be with the Lord on April 14, 2020.

On her 100th birthday, she was called Queen Mother of Arkansas and named Arkansan of the Day by Craig O’Neil.  By her many friends she was known as Theone “The-One and Only.”  By her family she was called “Mother, Donni Belle, Mamaw, Sister, Aunt Theone, and Cousin.”  She was born on July 13, 1918, to the late Otha and Ethel Hale in McRae, Arkansas.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Julius O. James, her youngest son, Judge Dennis Lee James, and a son-in-law, Dr. Roland McArthur.  She is survived by four children:   Dr. Julia McArthur Redding (Ben), Linda Southern (Byron), John Hale James (Nina), and Danny Keith James (Terri), 12 grandchildren, Lee McArthur Scott, Weems Roland McArthur, Jr., Dr. Claudia Raye Klarer, Dr. Lucas James McArthur, Kathryn Nicole Bridges, Christopher Scott Southern, Paul Michael James, Jacob Hale James, Joni Barker, Danny Keith James, Jr., Julian Zachary James and Haley Susannah James along with 24 great-grandchildren; her sister, Johnnie Lou Lowry, and daughter-in-law Lindy Fair.

Theone was valedictorian of her high school class in McRae, Arkansas.   After graduation from Beebe College, she taught school in McRae and Tuckerman, where she met her future husband, Julius “J.O.” James.   Together they raised five children who would become the James Family Singers touring throughout the country with their Southern Gospel Music.  Later in life, she and her husband J. O. formed the James Real Estate Company.

Theone had a wonderful, long and fulfilling life of faith and family and learned to adjust to all life’s changes and the journey it took as wife, mother, educator, musician, quilter, real estate broker, and delegate to the Nazarene General Assembly.  She learned to be content in whatever circumstances her life found her.  She was an inspiration to all who knew her for her faith, zest for life, positive attitude, and seeing the best in everyone.

Her family wishes to thank Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home and Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation for their loving care.

Drop-in visitation will be from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2020 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home (1921 Main St., NLR).  Private burial will be at Lebanon Cemetery in McRae, Arkansas.  Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene, P. O Box 159, Alexander, Arkansas, 72002.  Due to circumstances, a Celebration of Her Life will be held at a later date.