Christina White James

Christina White James died peacefully on January 22, 2019. She was born in Princeton, W.VA on May 3, 1930, and raised in Morganton, NC, by her mother and stepfather, the late Maxine and Robey Claywell. She met the love of her life, W. Scott James, Jr., dur-ing their first week at Duke University, and wed after their graduation in 1953. While at Duke University, Tina majored in sociology and was inducted into the honor society Phi Beta Kappa her junior year, and still found time to be president of her sorority Phi Mu and co-editor of the Duke yearbook The Chanticleer. In Durham, Tina supported Scott throughout his medical school and internship, where she was employed as a social worker. After Scott’s subsequent residency in pediatrics which took them to Boston, MA, and two years in Sacramento, CA, they ultimately landed in Atlanta, GA in 1962, where they made their home in Sandy Springs and raised three children.

Tina was generous with her time and volunteered on the boards of The Crawford Long Museum, Jefferson, GA, and the Sandy Springs Heritage Foundation. She was president of the Medical Auxiliary of Georgia, a member of the Young Matrons of Tallulah Falls, an enthusiastic volunteer for Tour Gals of Atlanta, and a docent for the annual Atlanta Symphony Decorator Showhouse. A fun-loving, yet ambitious woman, Tina was one of the charter members of the all-women investment club, Assets, Ltd.—a group of smart women who wanted to do their own investing. The group became so successful with their stock picks that the club was featured on the cover of Money Magazine. A devoted longtime member of St. John United Methodist Church, Tina donated her time and talents throughout the years.

Tina had a passion for life and an ebullience for living! She was a stranger to no one and had many friends in many places. Her “joie de vivre” was infectious! She had a passion for learning, reading, gardening, music, dancing, and travel, but she loved best the time spent with family—treasured times spent together on beach trips to Fripp Island, weekends sailing at the Atlanta Yacht Club, or enjoying the ski slopes locally and out west. She liked planning the trips almost as much as taking them!

Tina will be remembered by her many friends, and family. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years Dr. W. Scott James, Jr. and their three children Dr. W. Scott James, III, (Barbara), Christina James Thead (William), Elizabeth James Crane (Andrew); six grandchildren Lauren James Levenson (Jacob), Michael James (Alysa), William James (Kelsey), James Crane, Lindsey Crane, Daniel Crane; her brother Thomas White (Malvina) as well as nieces, nephews and extended family.

Tina’s memorial service will be held on February 16, 2019, at 11 a.m., at St. John United Methodist Church, 550 Mount Paran Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327, with a Celebration of Life reception to follow (12:45 p.m.) at Lenbrook, 3747 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.

The family kindly requests in lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. John United Methodist Church, or to your charity of choice.

The family wishes to thank Josephine Apuri and all of her staff at Gaddiel Services for the excellent care and love given to Tina during her long illness with Alzheimer’s