Sharon Janet James

Sharon was born on February 15, 1945, in Mattoon, IL to Chauncey (Jum) and Nellie Grace Michaels.

She graduated from Mattoon High School in 1963 and completed course work at Utterback Business College in the field of Finance. Sharon married her junior high school sweetheart, Sam George James on July 12, 1964 and spent the next 62 years, “Loving her Sam”.

Sharon worked for banks in Roodhouse and Jacksonville, IL and Santa Fe, NM rising to the position of Senior Vice President - Operations/Banking Office Administration - Human Resources Director. She also worked in office administration for Beecham Laboratories in White Hall, IL.

In 1994, while touring the southwest states on a summer vacation, Sharon and Sam fell in love with the state of New Mexico. It was there that the dream of owning a working ranch was fulfilled. The Big Draw Ranch was born in 1995.

Sharon built her life centered on family and work. She was smart, loyal and fierce but also enjoyed trashy novels, pro-wrestling. Christian hymns, country music and 50’s rock and roll. She didn’t like to cook but she was a good cook.

Her children fondly remember her singing Home on The Range and This Little Light of Mine, watching Monday Night Football and vocally expressing her frustration or fandom and driving up to the bank window with Dad and seeing Mom at work.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Sam George James; her sons, Seth Michael James (Dawn) and Shad Seaman James (Lisa). Grandchildren, Samara, Sawyer (Demmie), Will and Samuel. Great grandchild, Ezra and a number of much-loved dogs and cats.

Memorial donations can be made in Sharon’s honor to a charity of your choosing.

A private service will be held at the Big Draw Ranch in Stanley, NM, at a later date.