HAMLET: Mrs. Leah Lila Hill James, 75 of 696 Boyd Lake Rd., Hamlet, died Thursday, February 4, 2010 in Rockingham Manor.
Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, February 8, at 1:00 PM in the Bobby Lammonds Memorial Chapel at Russell-Marks Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Wilkes officiating. Interment will follow in Richmond County Memorial Park.
Leah was born in Spokane, Washington on August 1, 1934 to the late Gerald and Lenora Spencer Hill, but was raised by foster parents Mom and Les Blankenship. She retired from UCO Fabrics in 2001, but continued to work part-time at Burger King, the flea market, and selling Avon. She enjoyed bowling and taking vacations with her friend Betty, but mostly she loved baking & decorating cakes. In addition to her parents and foster parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson she raised as her own, Jeremy Kyle Parker, and grandson Michael Frank.
She is survived by her husband William 'Bill' James of the home; a son, Gerald 'Gary' Marcott and fiance Lavonne of Lewiston, ID; two daughters, Dian Fernandez and husband Silvestre of Hoffman, Gayle Williams and fiance Ralph of Cordova; 14 grandchildren, Juanita, Sherry, David, Misty, Lil Gayle, Jason, Bubby, Lil Clinton, Billy, Wendy, Kerry, Sarah Kay, Shannon, and Tonya; 26 great-grandchildren, Codie, Lindsey, Ethan, Cameron, Taylor, Kelsey, Bubba, Madelyn, Carley, Anthony, Chynna, William, Trey, Leah, Adriana, Elizabeth, Mistica, Trinity, Talan, Tristen, Tyler, Kenleigh, Parker, Cassidy, Johnathan, and Zoey; and one brother, Edwin Hill of Rutherfordton.
Special thanks to the staff of Rockingham Manor for their kind treatment of Mama. A very special thanks to Scotland County Hospice, their three valued employees, Dinah for her daily care given with love and kindness, Jill for her cotinued care, and Penny for her ongoing concern for what was best for Mama. Words can never express how much you made our Mom's life more comfortable.
The family will receive friends Sunday, February 7, from 7-9:00 Pm at Russell-Marks Funeral Home.
Our family chain was broken on May 16, 2009. God has taken you home Mama, to start linking the chain. Rest in peace Mama, Jeremy, and Michael. We love and miss you.