WAYCROSS — Mrs. Theta Anzell Booth James, age 95, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Baptist Village Retirement Communities following an extended illness.
Mrs. James was born May 18, 1930, in Waycross, the youngest of 12 children born to the late Henry Afton Booth, Sr. and Sarah Belle Smith Booth. She was a graduate of Wayc ross High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences from the University of Georgia.
Mrs. James and her husband lived as a military family for several years before returning to Manor, where she became a lifelong and devoted member of Victory Methodist Church. She joined the church at the age of 10 and faithfully served the Lord there for 85 years.
She retired from the Ware County Board of Education after 35 years of service as an educator, having taught at numerous schools throughout the county. She was also a proud member of the Georgia Association of Educators.
Deeply involved in the Manor and Waycross communities, Mrs. James was affectionately known as the “Princess of Manor.” In recognition of her impact and love for others, the Waycross Journal-Herald named her Mother of the Year on May 11, 2019.
Mrs. James was full of life and joy, loved entertaining family and friends, and never met a stranger. She had a genuine love for people, and will be fondly remembered for her warm spirit and her signature departing phrase, “tootle tootle.”
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Little Carey James, Sr., and a grandchild, Angela Rai Thornton.
Survivors include her children, Karen Ewers (Jack), Bella Mathis (Edwin), Lucy White (Jimi), and Carey James, Jr. (Lisa); grandchildren, Jessica Tanner (Nick Jasser), Chad Mixon (Jamie), Roxanne Aldridge (Jarred), Carter White, Haley Musgrove, Lauren Nix (Calvin), and Taylor James; great grandchildren, Gage, Tanner, and Jaya Jasser, Abbie Gillis, Kendall Mixon, Alexis Aldridge, Chloe Musgrove, Lane Aldridge, and Sawyer White; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Saturday, January 17 at Victory Methodist Church. Burial followed in the Victory Methodist Church Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by posting to her tribute wall at www.musicfuneralhome.
James
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Music Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
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