Melanie James

Melanie James, 44, a longtime resident of Abilene died June 24th 2007. Funeral services will be held at the Piersall Benton Funeral Directors Chapel on Saturday, June 30th at 2:00 pm with Brother Greg Rake officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6PM to 8PM at Piersall-Benton Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Melanie was the youngest of nine children born to Fred Lowell James and Faynelle Thornton in Orange, Texas on February 24th, 1963. Their family moved to Abilene in 1964 where Melanie remained until 2004 when she moved to Bedford to be closer to her daughter, son-in-law and grand-puppies.

Melanie was a nurse that loved and cared for her many patients but her real passion was spending time with her daughter Kayla. Her faith was a testimony to everyone she came into contact with.

Melanie was preceded in death by her father, and two brothers. She is survived by daughter Kayla Manning and husband Taylor of Plano; Mother and Step-Father, Faynelle and Royce Johnson of San Angelo; Brothers, Michael James and wife Lou of Wimberly, Gregg James and wife Keri of Neola, IA; Sisters, Lynn McBride and husband Ken and Kathy Levrets and husband Tim all of Abilene, Andrea Jordan and husband Steve of Lake Jackson and Stephanie Earle and husband David of Houston as well as a host of Nieces and Nephews.

Condolences can be offered to the family at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.