MIDDLEBURG- Melissa Susan James, age 51, a resident of Clayton and Middleburg, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017 at WakeMed Cary after a courageous nine year battle with cancer.Born in Fort Smith, AR on June 12, 1965 she was the daughter of Sallie Imbush ORiley of Spiro, OK and the late William Edward Howard.Melissa attended Middleburg Baptist Church where a memorial service will be held Thursday at 3:00 PM conducted by Rev. Jimmy Burks.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 32 years, Francis Samuel James of the home; two sons, Jackie Sherrod James and wife Caitlyn of Clayton and Cole Francis James and wife Bethany of Colorado Springs, CO; her step-father, Tom ORiley of Spiro, OK; three grandchildren, Jesse James, Callie James and Ryker James; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jackie James and Celia James of Middleburg; two half-sisters, Jammie Hatfield and Alesha Rogers of Fort Smith, AR; and a half-brother, Shane ORiley of Fort Smith, AR.
The family will receive friends at the home in Middleburg.