Donna Fay James

Donna Fay James, 92, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 20^th, 2024.

Donna was born to Ida Mae and Tyson Millow Butler on May 4, 1931.  Surprisingly, Donna’s parents did not know they were having twins!  

Donna attended Akron Public Schools, graduating from South High School.  She continued her education at Akron University where she obtained a degree in elementary education. She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority.

In 1957, Donna met Charles William (Bill) James at a square dance at the YMCA. They married in 1958. Donna and Bill celebrated 57 years of marriage.  

During her working career, Donna taught 2^nd grade at Heminger Elementary School in Akron until her first child was born. She returned to teaching in 1969 after her second child started school, teaching at Findley Elementary school for eight more years. In 1987 Donna finished her working career, working as a bookkeeper for her husband’s construction company James Builders.

Throughout the years Donna enjoyed attending the Akron Baptist Temple, The Chapel of Akron, and The Evangelical Covenant Church of Bradenton, Florida.

After marrying, Donna and Bill moved to Cuyahoga Falls – her home for the next 66 years.  After her husband retired, they started spending their winters in Bradenton, Florida.  She had an active circle of close, Ohio- born friends but still kept in close contact with her children and grandchildren, her greatest joy.      

Besides her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her husband Bill James, sisters Helen Monahan and Jean Bushman, her brother Tyson Butler, her twin brother Donald Butler and her stepdaughter Denise Kolb.   She is survived by her sons Scott James and Brian (Janel) James of Akron, Ohio and her stepdaughter Pamela Hoops of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  She is also survived by ten grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Interment will be at Western Reserve Cemetery on April 9^th at 12:30 with close friends and family celebrating her life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in her honor to your desired charity.