JAMES, Florence (Flo) Rachel

Williams News, Williams, Arizona Tuesday, February 05, 2013 Florence (Flo) Rachel James passed away peacefully January 25, 2013. She was born in Nottingham, England, on February 25, 1920 to Len and Florrie Wakelin. Flo married Charles Frank James on September 20, 1941. Frank was in his naval uniform in the wedding photographs. Their only child, Brian, was born in 1947. Nottingham was renowned for its textile trade, mainly its world famous lace, but also knitwear, stockings and all manner of clothing. By trade Flo was a machinist and made men's trousers. During the war most woman workers either made munitions or uniforms. She made army uniforms. She was a machinist until her retirement. She was widowed in 1973 and then looked after her aging father until his death in 1979. In 1986, Brian and family moved to Williams, Ariz. to buy and operate the Norris Motel. Flo came along too, and stayed here for 10 years, making friends at the Pentecostal Church and Williams Bowling Alley, where she joined the Cream of the Crop league. She moved back to the U.K. in 1996 and relocated to Lancing, West Sussex, on the south coast of England, to a flat overlooking the sea. Her only brother Len and family had moved to Lancing from Nottingham, so Flo had family around her once back there. She always kept in touch with her friends in Williams, sending them English tea for Christmas. The cremation will take place on Feb. 6 at Worthing, W. Sussex. Family and flowers only. She is survived by her son Brian and his wife Kath, grandchildren Ian (Schelly) of Williams and Cottonwood, Heather (Ric) of Mesa and Robin of Flagstaff. She has one great-grandson Aidan, also of Mesa. She will be greatly missed. Donations can be made in her name to Shoreham Lifeboat at www.hdtribe.co.uk/online_donations.htm. Shoreham does excellent work saving lives at sea. The group will scatter Flo's ashes at sea across from the view she had from her flat. She loved that view.