Dorothy Mae James

Dorothy Mae Taylor James, 96, of Sandy Lake, passed away on January 18, 2023 at Greystone Estates in Fredonia.

Dorothy Mae Taylor James was born on January 23, 1926 in a home on Mercer Street in Sandy Lake, PA to Adalyn Mae Rothermel Taylor and John Andrew Taylor.  Dorothy was the youngest child and was preceded in death by her siblings, John Taylor, Jr., Jane Taylor Turner, her infant sister, Rosanna Taylor and Barbara Taylor Havins.

Dorothy graduated from Sandy Lake High School in the spring of 1944 where she graduated as valedictorian.  On September 23, 1944 Dorothy married her high school sweetheart Charles Freeland James.  Following graduation emergency teachers were needed in the midst of World War II, and Dorothy was asked to teach at the Lytle School, a one room school house in Sandy Lake.  She often remarked that as a young 18 year old the job was an awesome task as she had never been inside a one room country school until approached to teach at one.  After that year she then joined Freeland in Virginia where he was stationed with United States Navy.  Dorothy and Freeland enjoyed 72 years of marriage until his death on October 20, 2016.  Dorothy was an accomplished musician, and was skilled at playing the violin, accordion, piano, and organ. She played the organ and piano at the New Lebanon United Presbyterian Church and Sandy Lake United Presbyterian Church for over 40 years.  She was an active member of Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church until the time of her death.  In her younger years she played the bell lyre in the Sandy Lake Fireman’s Band during the years that the band was active.  Dorothy loved playing cards and was a member of a 500 card club for many years.  Dorothy and Freeland loved to travel mostly using a small camping trailer to explore many of the lower 48 states, many Canadian Provinces and without the trailer a trip to Switzerland to visit a nephew that also included a trip to Germany by train during Octoberfest.  Dorothy and Freeland enjoyed roller skating and for many years participated weekly in that event at the roller rink in Greenville, PA.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Cheryl James (Arthur) Drew, David James (the late Sherry Morton James) and Rita James (James) Engstrom, seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rose and Black Funeral Home of Sandy Lake.  Family and friends are welcome at the Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church, 3461 Sandy Lake New Lebanon Rd, Sandy Lake, on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, a funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM, with Rev. Beth Creekpaum Officiating.

Interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery.

The family would like to make a special thank you to the staff at Greystone Country Estates and Gentiva Hospice for the wonderful care that they provided for Dorothy.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.RoseAndBlackFH.com

Visitation
Friday, January 20, 2023
10:00am - 12:00pm (Eastern time)
Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church
3461 Sandy Lake-New Lebanon Rd, Sandy Lake, PA 16145

Funeral Service
Friday, January 20, 2023
12:00 - 1:00pm (Eastern time)
Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church
3461 Sandy Lake-New Lebanon Rd, Sandy Lake, PA 16145