Jowanna James

Jowanna Rae Tennison James was born December 4, 1946 in Deming, New Mexico to Ray and Mildred Tennison. She grew up in Arizona and graduated from Ray District High School, Kearny, Arizona in 1964 where she lettered in several girl sports. She married Kenny James on January 25, 1966 at the First Baptist Church in Kearny, Arizona. She moved to Houston, Texas after her wedding. She then moved to Brazoria County in the Fall 1966 and was a Brazoria County resident ever since.

She graduated with an Associate's degree in 1998 from Brazosport College with her daughter and son and then graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 2001 from the University of Houston. She was very active in church and loved gospel music. Jowanna taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Children's Church, and in other areas, she loved working for the church. She was the GA Director and Acteen Director in the early 1970's for the Gulf Coast Baptist Association, and worked for several Baptist Churches in the Brazoria County area. She was very involved in her children's school activities, as a substitute teacher, homeroom mother, president of Sweeny Band Booster in mid 80's, and Mother Advisor of ORG Brazoria #262. She loved baking, making kolaches, peanut brittle, banana nut bread, decorating wedding cakes and collecting cookbooks. She enjoyed sewing, cross-stitching, and knitting. She was an active member of Eastern Star which she loved, and served in many offices and was the Worthy Matron several times. She was a committee member of the Grand Chapter of Texas for several years, a member of the Daughters of the Nile and a member of the Red Hat Society. In January of this year, Jowanna and Kenny celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Jowanna peacefully passed away Monday, September 5, 2016 at 4:15pm at the Sweeny Community Hospital surrounded by her loving family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Kenny James of Sweeny, Texas; daughter, Lowanna James of West Columbia, Texas; daughter, Becky (James) Mahurin and husband, B.D. Mahurin of Sweeny, Texas; son, Bryan James of Sweeny, Texas; and grandchildren, Joshua Allen Miller, Matthias James Mahurin and Macy Rae Mahurin. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray & Mildred (Frei) Tennison; brothers, Bill & Charles Tennison; sister, Cynthia Tennison.

Funeral services will be held 10:00am, Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia with Brother Kenny James officiating. Burial will follow at Columbia Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, September 9, 2016 also at Baker Funeral Home from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. Serving as pallbearers will be Bryan James, B.D. Mahurin, Joshua Miller, Matthias Mahurin, Barney Lowery, Pat Helton, John Holleman and Tommy Crouch. Honorary Pallbearers will be the men of Capitol Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Capitol Baptist Church, 809 E. Bernard St, West Columbia, Texas 77486.

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