Wanda Laverne James, 78, of Essex, Missouri died on March 24, 2022, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mrs. James was born April 7, 1943, to Joseph "Pete" and Gertrude Bradford Cochran.

She was preceded in death by her husband: John Frank James, one daughter: Carolyn Lavern Dodson, one brother: Ivan Keith Cochran, three sisters: Mabel Strecker, Bonnie Livesay, and Margaret Cochran.

She lived at Birds Corner in Essex, Missouri for 46 years. She was a member of the Birds Corner Assembly of God Church. She enjoyed reading and going to garage sales. On December 11, 1972, she was married to John Frank James in Bell City, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 17, 2005.

She is survived by two daughters: Kristi (Billy) Petty of Essex, MO., and Beverly Lawder of Tennessee, two sons: Donnie Crowden of Benton, MO., and Cliff Crowden of Cape Girardeau, MO., three brothers: Melvin Cochran of Bloomfield, MO., Steve Cochran of Scott City, MO., and Marvin Cochran of Lebanon, MO., two sisters: Helen Creason of Lebanon, MO., Pauline McMillan of Dexter, MO., granddaughter: Brittany Harper of Sikeston, MO., two great granddaughters: Lynleigh and Addelyn Harper of Sikeston, MO.

And many other grandchildren, relatives, and friends survive to mourn her passing.

Private graveside services will be held at Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.