Leona Marie James

Leona Marie James, 77, of Lake Charles died on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 in a local hospital. Mrs. James was born on December 5, 1936 in Lake Charles and resided here her entire life. In her younger years she worked for the Pitt Theater and also Paramount Theater where she met her husband. She will be remembered for her fun joking personality. Mrs. James enjoyed painting, quilting, bowling, writing stories, and cooking for her family as well as drinking coffee with family in the afternoon. She had a love for red lipstick and she also liked the color blue. In her earlier years, she and her husband would go dancing. She also enjoyed watching hummingbirds. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 56 years, Howard; three children and their spouses, Joey Paul James and Dianne of Grant, LA, Theresa Lynn Matte and Brian of Lake Charles, and Kevin Paul James and Nakeshia of Iowa; a sister and her husband, Marian DiGiovanni Williams and Roger of Lake Charles; eight grandchildren, Justen James and wife Lacy Webb James, Taylor Matte, Hunter Matte, Alyssa Windgate, Hayden James, Jace James, Matthew Williams, and Mitchell Stine; and five great grandchildren, Makilyn and Jacob Celestine, Beau James, Maddox Heinen, and Myles Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine and Joseph DiGiovanni. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 PM on Saturday, October 4, 2014 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Wayne LeBleu will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Garden Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Friday from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 8:00 AM until the start of the service.