Leola James

Mrs. Leola James, the daughter of the late Leo “Rat” Peterson and the late Joyce “Penny” Gibbons was born in Florence County on August 25, 1978. She was reared by the late Mozella Murray Peterson and the late Theodore Ashley. She departed this earthly life peacefully at MUSC - Florence on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, after an illness.

Leola attended Florence County Public Schools.

On June 12, 1998, Leola entered holy matrimony with Jack C. James. This union was blessed with two beautiful children.

Leola was a devoted wife and mother and spent her life pouring into her children whom she loved dearly. She had a very cheerful spirit and always had a joke and a laugh for you.

She loved to cook, style hair and was very artistic. It was with her children that she discovered her desire to be creative. She created colorful masterpieces to adorn their home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo “Rat” Peterson and Joyce “Penny” Gibbons, Mozella Murray Peterson, Theodore Ashley and Patricia Peterson Wright, who she affectionately called “Ma.”

Mrs. Leola James leaves to cherish her precious memories: her husband of 23 years, Jack C. James; two children, Jacqueline Leola James of Hartsville, South Carolina and Jack Christopher James, Jr. of the home; three siblings, Patricia Kelly of Florence, South Carolina, Jimmy Ray Allison of New Jersey, and Passion Peterson of Columbia, South Carolina; a step-sister, Yvonne (Bobby) Peterson of Florence, South Carolina: a sister-in-law, Rosa Lee Peterson of Darlington, South Carolina; one aunt, Olivia (Thomas) Timmons of Florence, South Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Please keep the family of Leola James in your thoughts and prayers.