Jessica James

Jessica Louise James, 95, of Willis, Texas peacefully left this world to join our Heavenly Father on August 11, 2014. She gained her angel wings while in her home and surrounded by loved ones. She was greeted in heaven by her husband Huey P. James and son Jackson Williams, as well as countless relatives and friends. Jessica was commonly referred to by cousins and loved ones early in life as “Teek”. Once becoming a grandmother she was affectionately declared “Yam-Yam” by her grandchildren. In her later years, this was the name most often used when introduced to people. Jessica was born in Sulpher, Louisiana but came to Texas as soon as possible and considers herself a native Texan. Her love for Texas and Texas history was evident by her resistance to reveal her true Louisiana birth. She lived in Houston, TX where she graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1937. She then attended Sam Houston Teachers College in Huntsville, TX. She graduated in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science degree and began her teaching career. She taught for 33 years, twenty-eight of those years being at Travis Elementary in the Houston Independent School District. Jessica resided in Willis, TX for the past forty plus years on property that she and Huey James purchased and dubbed, Oak Knoll. The two raised horses and built the family home in which she lived from that moment to the present. Yam-Yam is survived by her daughter Felicia D. Sills and her stepson, Johnny Williams; her grandchildren: Tiffany Forester, Jessica Beeman and husband, Brad; Billy O. Sills, Michael Williams and wife, Angela; Justin Miller and wife Amanda, and Tamara Che’ Williams; her great grandchildren: Hayden & Houston Forester, Connor & Colton Beeman, Sharon Payton Sills, Zach and Katie Williams, and Dylan Miller as well as countless other extended family members and friends. Her celebration of life will begin with a visitation at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Willis, Texas on Wednesday, August 13th from 6-8pm. The funeral will be Thursday, August 14th at 2pm at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Willis, Texas with graveside service following at Willis Cemetery. She left a legacy for her family and friends that will leave a void in the lives of her family and friends, yet they are thankful for her peaceful entry into heaven. The family would like to thank Rose of Texas Hospice for their support the past several weeks while caring for Jessica during her weakest days. Condolences may be left on our website at www.shmfh.com.