Mary Evelyn James

Mary Evelyn Ludd James was born on January 16, 1939, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was the second of seven children born to Arthur and Marinell T. Ludd. At the age of three, after residing with her grandparents, Reverend Larry T. and Everleana Thomas, for 9 months, the young toddler came to Pasadena, California to live with her parents.

The family worshipped at Friendship Baptist Church, where Mary was baptized at the age of thirteen. Mary was very involved in church activities, singing in the choir, with The McGruderliers, and serving as President of the Young People’s Department of the Western Baptist State Convention at the age of sixteen.

Mary attended Garfield Elementary School, McKinley Jr. High School, and John Muir High School, where she was a “Song Girl” (Cheerleader). She graduated from Pasadena City College.

Mary was joined in Holy Matrimony on December 17, 1960, to Harold L. James. To this union two beautiful daughters were born, Shelly Elizabeth and Karen Leslie. The couple joined Community Baptist Church in 1964 where Mary served as a Sunday School Teacher, member of the Trustee Board, New Members Orientation Leader, Choir Director, and member of the Northwest Pasadena Development Corporation Board, now known as Community Bible Church Development Corporation.

Mary and Harold were married for 43 years until Harold was called home on September 23, 2003.

Mary’s “working” career began as a “Mother’s Helper” during her early school years.After graduating from college, she was employed with Smog Control for Los Angeles, and the Social Security Administration, respectively. She retired from Pasadena Unified School District in 2001, after 29 years of service as the Office Manager at Jackson Elementary School.

Mary loved to bowl and participated in several leagues for over a 30 year period.

Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, Arthur and Marinell T. Ludd, brother, Arthur Ludd Jr., husband Harold James, and beloved grandson, Noah Douglas.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters, Shelly Elizabeth Douglas (Cory) andKaren Leslie Williams (Cecil), grandchildren, Tarah Douglas, Owen Williams, Kylah Williams, Savannah Douglas, Jacob Williams, Jason Douglas and Marina Williams, her grand-dog, Maji, sisters, Dr Dorothy Lloyd, Alphia (Louise) Howard, and Regina Ludd, brothers Charles Ludd (Linda) and Leo Ludd (Lilja) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.