Mary Elaine James, of Vienna, was born on August 23, 1933, at St. Louis, a daughter of Francis Preston "Frank" and Hester Armenia (Walling) Blair, and departed this life at 3:58 p.m., on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at her residence with all of her family at her side. She had attained the age of 84 years, 6 months, and 26 days.

Elaine was united in marriage on November 27, 1954, at St. Louis, to James Albert "Jim" James, and to this union, six children were born.

She was a member of the Visitation Catholic Church, Vienna, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals, Missouri Tigers, and Vienna Eagles sports fan. During her working life, Elaine was a devoted housewife and homemaker for her family.

Those left to mourn the passing of Elaine include: Her husband of over sixty-three years, Jim James, of the home in Vienna; her children, Brian James (Becky), Paul James (Pam), Connie Sandbothe (Art), Mark James (Mendy), Joe James (Sherry), and Jay James (Nicki), all of Vienna; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; one brother, Charley Blair (Jan), St. Louis; four sisters, Shirley Mertz, Theresa Mullins, JoAnn Blair, and Sister Christine Blair, all of St. Louis; two sisters-in-law, Brenda Blair, state of Louisiana, and Rose Blair, St. Louis; brother-in-law, Frank Donley James, state of Illinois; nephews; nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Hester Blair; four brothers, Preston Blair, Richard Blair, Jim Blair (Kathy), and Steven Blair; two sisters, Fran Cronley (Jerry), and Judy Blair; three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Leonard Mertz, James Mullins, Bob James (Irene), and Carrie James; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mart and Lucy James.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Mary Elaine James are suggested by her family to the Visitation Inter-Parish School or to the James Community Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the Visitation Catholic Church or in care of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Missouri 65582.