Gretchen Nulph James was born on December 21, 1939 and went to live with our Lord on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Gretchen was the heartbeat of our family, and her love was the thread that brought us and held us all together. She never enjoyed being the center of attention, instead, she was always theContinue Reading
Gretchen Nulph James was born on December 21, 1939 and went to live with our Lord on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Gretchen was the heartbeat of our family, and her love was the thread that brought us and held us all together. She never enjoyed being the center of attention, instead, she was always the quiet force behind all of our happiest memories. One thing she loved to do was try to tell the silliest jokes and take forever to get to the punchline because she would laugh so hard at herself, she struggled to get through it. Our mom. Our Nenaw. Our refuge, sanctuary, oasis and soft place to land when life seemed too difficult to bear. She always gave strong, sound words of wisdom and advice that sometimes felt harsh in the moment, but upon reflection, we always realized that those words came from a deep love and helped us through whatever battle we were fighting. The love she had for her family is unmatched, and she was willing to wield her sword to defend us all. We will carry on with the love, grace and kindness she so deeply embodied.
Gretchen was born in Yakima, WA and went to school in Plains, TX. It was there she met the man she would love for the rest of her life, Dean James. Dean and Gretchen married September 24, 1955. Together, they had 3 children and adventurous life living in several different towns before they finally settled in Midland, TX.
Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Hicks Nulph and Addie (Tiny) Byrd, husband, Wesley Dean James, sibling, Billie Joe Vandiver, and son, Ricky Dean James. She is survived by her daughter Kathy Hartman, husband Dicky Hartman, and Steven James, wife Michele James, 7 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.
There will be a visitation/viewing at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Sunday, October 4th from 4:00 -6:00 pm. Service will be graveside at Serenity Memorial Gardens Cemetery Monday, October 5th at 10:00 am.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com
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Trinity Baptist Church
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Trinity Baptist Church
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