Obituary of Patricia T. James

AIKEN, SC - Patricia Thomas James passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 26, 2022.  There will be a memorial visitation Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 5-7 pm at The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken SC.  In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.

Patricia Thomas James was born July 24, 1945, in Brooklyn NY to Catherine (Kate) Sanborn and Andrew Thomas.  Ms. James is preceded in death by her parents, husband Stephen, sister Andrea Kuhn and great granddaughter Ally Kleckner.

Patricia married her best friend and love of her life Stephen Edward James on January 6, 1968.  She was a remarkable mother to Mr. James’ six children, raising them to believe they could do and be anything they wanted to be, with each of them pursuing successful careers. 

Ms. James graduated from Claremont, NH High School in 1965 and attended Arizona State University.  Encouraged by her husband, Ms. James continued her college education earning a BA from Indiana University in 1975 and a JD from Indiana University in January 1979.  Ms. James passed the Indiana Bar in May 1979 and began her career with Robert Craven in Indianapolis and Paoli IN. 

In 1983 Ms. James and her husband Steve relocated to Summerville SC where she passed the South Carolina Bar.  They moved to Aiken SC in 1984, where she practiced law with Sylvia Westerdahl before opening her own private practice on York Street.  Ms. James loved the law but closed her office due to the Pandemic in June 2020.  She practiced law until her passing Friday, August 26, 2022.

Ms. James is survived by her brother Christopher Thomas of Indianapolis, IN; her children:   Claudia James of Fort Worth TX, Vanessa Spilke (Howard) of Boston MA, Rebekah Travis (Mark) of Fort Worth TX, Marc David James Sr of Marinette, WI, Tamara Keel (Harry) of Fort Myers, FL, and Stephen E. James Jr. (Susie Thomas) of Brownsburg, IN; 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

There will be a private burial service in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN next to her husband Stephen E. James.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com