Mary Louise James, age 84, passed away peacefully at her home in Hohenwald on March 21, 2026. She was born on April 7, 1941, in Collinwood, Tennessee, to the late Hargrow Nelson and Elsie Prince Nelson.
Mary was a woman of Pentecostal faith who lived a simple, meaningful life centered around her family and the things she loved most. She found great joy in gardening, tending to her flowers, and preserving the fruits of her labor through canning. She enjoyed sewing, working crossword puzzles, and keeping up with her favorite soap operas. Whether it was a cup of coffee in the morning or a soda in the afternoon, Mary appreciated life’s small comforts. She also had a special bond with her beloved dog, ‘Pup.’ Known for her knowledge of healing and herbs, she passed down wisdom and traditions to her children and grandchildren that will continue for generations.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vernard Leaman James; her daughter, Tina Louise Shepherd; her brothers, Odie Lee Nelson and Lonnie Hargrow Nelson; and her granddaughter, Rebecca Lindsey James.
She is survived by her son, Jessie Leaman James; her daughter, Sherry (Travis) Thompson; her son-in-law, Wayne Shepherd; 12 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends who will miss her dearly.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM at McDonald Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM until service time. Burial will follow at Stephens Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.
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This obituary was published by McDonald Funeral Home, Inc. – Lewis County.
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