Ruth Joanne James, 87, of Clyde passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in an Abilene hospice facility. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene with Pastor Mike McGough officiating under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde. A visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Joanne was born April 21, 1937, in Pilot Point to Robert and Sue (Chambers) Taylor. She graduated from Abilene High School and married Don Edward James in Abilene on June 6, 1959. They moved to Clyde from Abilene in 1967, where she owned and operated Jo-Mar Fashions and Items Unique for many years. She was a member of New Life Fellowship Church.

She is survived by two sons, Joe Don James and wife Tracey of Crockett and Paul James and wife Jeri of Clyde; nine grandchildren, Vanessa Bailey, Joshua James, Jacob James, Ashley Pickering, Sarah Pickering, Misti Stulsky, Ashley Smith, Sarah Pickering and Jennifer Kimmel; nine great grandchildren, Remington, Kennedy, Kashton, Korin, Katelynn, Mikey, Jackson, Atlas and Barrett and many other relatives and friends.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; grandson, Jeremy Don James; one brother, Robert Taylor and her great granddaughter, Emily Jo Kimmel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Joanne's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or the charity of your choice.