Obituary - AlVera Ann James

AlVera Ann James passed away peacefully in her Havre home November 15, 2020. She had been diagnosed with COVID-19 a week earlier and is believed to have suffered from complications related to the illness. Her husband, Lysle, was at her side.

AlVera was born November 30, 1933, to Lucius and Freda Stratton in Shelby, Montana. She grew up on the family farm, below the Sweet Grass Hills. She graduated from Shelby High School and went on to attend Pasadena Junior College in Southern California. There she was a runner up for Rose Queen in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. While AlVera was still in Pasadena, Lysle traveled to California to propose marriage and in triumph brought AlVera back home to Montana to be married. They wed October 8, 1955, in Shelby, Montana and were happily married for 65 years.

After they were married, they lived on the James Family Farm in Joplin, where they had their daughter, Mychell Marie James. In 1958, they bought a farm in Turner, Mt., where they had their son, David Gentry James. They farmed in Turner until 1966, when they moved to Chinook, Mt., where she worked at Sharples Jewelry, until moving to Havre in 1967. She then began working for Leonard Miller as a caretaker for his wife, Laura Miller, who was a stroke victim. AlVera did this for the next 25 years.

She was also an adult education teacher for several years teaching sewing to many Havre residents. Sewing was a big part of her life as she loved to sew. AlVera had an eye for beauty and collected and created many beautiful things for herself and others around her. AlVera had a kind and vivacious heart and made those around her feel loved and cherished.

AlVera and Lysle were avid square dancers and made very good friends and memories while dancing. They also traveled on cruises and spent their winters in their second home in Henderson, Nevada.

Alvera is preceded in death by her mother and father, brother, Austin Stratton (Lothair), sister, Grace Johnson (Kalispell), and daughter, Mychel Shearer (Havre).

She is survived by her husband, Lysle James, Havre; son David James, Havre; grandchildren include Falon (Eric) Errecart, Sidney, Mt, great-granddaughter Jesslyn Roth, Sophie Errecart, great-grandson Brevin Errecart; granddaughter Candace (Brad) Richardson, great-granddaughter Presley, Upland, Ca.; grandson Wade (Jillian) Crampton, great-granddaughter Payton Rodd,Chino, Ca.; grandson Tyler James (Jillia Szweb), Riverside, Ca.; grandchild Karly James (Charlie Nicholes), great-grandson Walter James Nicholes, Lake Elsinore, Ca., and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place; due to the pandemic, services will be held at a later date when it will be safe for family and friends to gather.