Esther R. James, 98, passed away October 30, 2009 after a prolonged illness. Born July 1, 1911 in Quakertown, PA, she was the daughter of Rev. Norman Y. and Bessie Romich Ritter. She attended Perkasie High School and graduated with honors. After completing requirements for her college degree from Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA, she worked at the Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts doing biological research. She married Dr. Alfred Elmore James, a graduate of Penn State and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. The couple settled in Beavertown, PA, where two sons were born, Richard N. James, who predeceased her in July of 2008 and David R. James, who resides in Ormond Beach, FL. With the outbreak of World War II the family relocated to Atlanta, where Dr. James was inducted into the medical service and served three years in the Pacific Theater. After the war, the family moved to Albany, GA. Mrs. James remained there until her retirement. She was active in the church choir and taught an adult Sunday school class most of her adult life. On retirement, she moved to Atlanta and was active in the Peachtree Road Lutheran Church, writing tracts for the church bulletin every month. In failing health, she was moved to an assisted living facility in Greenwood, SC in July 2007 where her son Richard lived. Suffering from dementia, her condition continued to deteriorate over the next two years. She had one sister, Ruth Ritter Baum, who passed away in 2008. She is survived by a son, David R. James, seven grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, it is respectfully requested that memorials be sent to the Peachtree Road Lutheran Church, 3686 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.