Esteen Elizabeth James

Funeral is 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2013 at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family will receive friends 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Dr. David Burrows of the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport will officiate. Pallbearers include Gary Franklin, Darrell Franklin, Daryl Bates, Rodney Franklin, David Franklin, and Gary Peden.

Esteen was born on March 5, 1921 to George and Nora (Taylor) Richards in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. She was united in marriage to Bud James on September 30, 1939 in Macomb, Oklahoma. Esteen was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. She loved spending time with her family, especially going out to dinner. In 1997, Esteen moved to Arlington to be closer to her family and loved ones. She was a truly devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 54 years, Bud James; her infant daughter, Lawanda Faye; and her four brothers, Noel, Lester, Wayne, and Verle Richards.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her son, Buddy James and wife Diane of Arlington; her 3 grandchildren, Scott James and wife Judy of Arlington, Breanna Holman of Arlington, Brooke Langan and husband Adam of Arlington; her 2 great grandchildren, Blake and William; other family members and a host of friends.

Hawkins Funeral Home, Bridgeport, Texas, 940-683-2211