Melinda Ann James

Melinda Ann James, 61, of Coward passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.  Melinda bravely confronted and battled cancer with an incredible faith and determination since 2015. Even in her weakest moments, she showed undeniable courage, resilience and maintained an optimistic attitude. Her sharp wit and sense of humor along with her beautiful smile would light up a room in a heartbeat.

Melinda was born on July 6, 1964, in Florence, SC, daughter of Mary Elizabeth Miles James and the late George Harold James. As a daughter of an Army father, it instilled in her a love for travel. In her youth she lived in Italy, Germany, and Kansas. She graduated high school in Junction City, Kansas, and attended college in Anchorage, Alaska.   With her roots in South Carolina, she returned home, and there she found her life’s passion for working with children. Teaching and leading children to serve Jesus Christ faithfully was the founding principle of her life. Her labor of love led her to a life-long career in different capacities at the Lake City Presbyterian Church Daycare and Kindergarten for 34 years with the majority of those years as Director. She finished her career and retired in January 2026.

Melinda had an extraordinary and special love for all children and was deeply dedicated to her Junior Sunday School Class and served as Children’s Church Director at the High Hill Family Worship Center for more than 30 years. Although she never had biological children, Melinda was a mother to hundreds, and her legacy will continue forever.

Melinda was also passionate about her vacations, spending weekends in her pool, shopping, cooking for her family and friends. If you were around her, you knew she was a, Die-Hard fan of the KC Chiefs. She spent many football seasons at Arrowhead Stadium with her dad in Kansas City. 

Surviving are her mother, Mary James of Coward; sisters, Tammy James of Coward, and Margie (J.D.) James-Morris of Scranton; brother, George (Sheryl) James, Jr, of Spanish Fort, AL; niece, Katie (Travis) Overdorf of Hampton, TN; and nephew, Zachary James of Seattle, WA; special uncle and aunt, Ken and Wanda Deans; special cousins, Maria Floyd, Lodie, Becky and  Brooke Haselden, Heather and Harper James, special friends Lesley Hannah and Rona McClam and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Melinda was preceded in death by her father, George Harold James; a brother, Tony James; maternal grandparents, John and Hannah Miles; paternal grandparents, Thomas and Margie James.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday, February 13, 2026, at Carolina Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 14, 2026, at High Hill Family Worship Center, with burial to follow at High Hill Cemetery.

The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful care given by Dr. Rajesh Bajaj of McLeod Oncology and Hematology and his staff; McLeod Hospice for their loving care and kindness, and the unwavering love and support from her church family of High Hill Family Worship Center; the Lake City Presbyterian Church and the Lake City Church of God.

If desired, memorials made be made to High Hill Family Worship Center Children’s Church, 2211 N. Old Georgetown Rd., Coward, SC 29530; or to the McLeod Cancer Center H.O.P.E. Fund (Helping Oncology Patients Everyday), McLeod Foundation, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC, 29502-0551.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Melinda Ann James, please visit our Tree Store.