Carol Ann Hinchliffe James

Carol Ann Hinchliffe James, of Ruston, Louisiana, formerly of Waitsburg, Washington, passed away Thursday, Sep- tember 6, 2012, at the age of 60, after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer. Visitation and a memorial service were held Monday, September 10, 2012, at Trin- ity United Methodist Church in Ruston. The family plans to hold a memorial service in Waitsburg at a later date.

Carol was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on Janu- ary 29, 1952, and raised in Waitsburg, Washington. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Noel Bryant James II, and her two daughters, Amanda Ann James and Eli- sha Leigh James. She is also survived by her mother, Jean Hinchliffe; brother, Michael Hinchliffe, and wife Jan; sis- ter, Mary Kay Paul, and hus- band Mark; brother-in-law, Robert James, and wife Laurie; and sister-in-law, Loralu Conville. She is survived by seven nieces and nephews, as well as 10 great nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her fa- ther, Donald Sidney "Buck" Hinchliffe. Pallbearers in- cluded John Buske, Gabe Conville, Scott Conville, Butch Crain, Bill Deese, Kent Follette, David Rogers, and Bruce Van Zandt.

Carol graduated from Waitsburg High School in Waitsburg, Washington, and received her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in child studies from Washing- ton State University in 1974. She earned her Mater of Arts in elementary education from Louisiana Tech University in 1980. In 1995, she earned her Master of Arts plus 30.

Carol taught elementary education for 34 years in North Louisiana. She began her teaching career at Central Elementary School, teaching first and second grades. She then taught at Bienville High School, teaching first, sec- ond, and third grades. Most of her teaching career was spent at Crawford Elemen- tary in Arcadia, where she predominantly taught second grade. She concluded her teaching career at Cypress Springs Elementary in Ruston, where she taught third and fifth grades. Carol was named Cypress Springs El- ementary Teacher of the Year and Lincoln Parish Teacher of the Year for 2006-2007. She retired in May 2010.

Carol was an active mem- ber, and past president, of Beta Sigma Phi, Eta Omicron Chapter, the Ruston-Gram- bling League of Women Vot- ers, and the North Louisiana Reading Council. She was also a member of the Louisiana Reading Association, the International Reading Association, Alpha Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa, the Louisiana Association of Educators, and the National Education Association. Carol served as both a mentor and tutor at Cypress Springs Elementary, and worked with Adopt-a-School sponsors James Technology and Beta Sigma Phi. She was a mem- ber of the Goodwill Lunch- ing service organization and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Carol was an avid Wash- ington State Cougars fan. She enjoyed traveling, par- ticularly to the Northwest, where she was able to visit with family and friends. She loved spending time in the mountains, as well as at D'Arbonne Lake, a gather- ing place for both friends and family. Carol enjoyed reading, particularly mystery novels, and often tuned in to Jeopardy and Wheel of For- tune once retired.

The family would like to express its sincere apprecia- tion to the Christus Schump- ert Cancer Treatment Center, particularly Dr. Neelima Chintapalli, Nurse Practitioner Kate Young, the nurses of the Cancer Treatment Center, and Pharmacist Gus Ham- dan. The family would like to thank family and friends who travelled across the country to visit Carol, as well as local family and friends who provided company and support to Carol and the family. The family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.