Mary James

Mary Corrine Huggins James, 92, of Shallotte, NC, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, after a brief illness. She was born in Marion County, SC, a daughter of the late Percy Powell and Susan Kathryn Platt Huggins.  In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband of 68 years, William Stanford James, MD; a son, John Franklin James; a daughter, Mary Anne James; a son-in-law, Benjamin W. Ingram, III; a sister, Kathryn Huggins Cox, and three brothers, Percy Powell Huggins, Jr., Charles Ravenel Huggins, and Kenneth Hanell Huggins.

Mary graduated from McClenaghan High School, class of 1949. She is a graduate of Columbia College, class of 1953, where she earned a BA in English and was a member and officer of student government and numerous clubs. She was involved in sports as captain of three teams and president of the athletic association.  Mary was a teacher in Pamplico, SC, Charleston, SC, and Lexington, NC. In 1955, she married her beloved husband, Stan. As he continued his education and career in medicine, they lived in Charleston, Columbia, Winston-Salem, Orangeburg, Augusta, and Union. After retirement, they relocated to Shallotte, NC. They were always involved in their churches and their communities. Mary was a decades-long member of the South Carolina Medical Association Auxiliary, serving in numerous positions, including state president. In Orangeburg, she was an officer of the Junior Service League, and the main instigator in founding a home for homeless girls. In Union, she was a board member of Union Academy and president of the PTO. She also served on the Union County Mental Health Board.

Mary was devoted to her husband, children, and grandchildren. She cherished her many friendships and her beloved country home. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, humor, and those beautiful blue eyes. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by a daughter, Susan James Ingram; two sons, William Stanford James, Jr. (Anne Marie), Joseph David James (Kelly); daughter-in-law, Michelle James; nine grandchildren, Benjamin Ingram IV (Liz), Stephen Ingram (Katie), Ginny James, Anna James (Brittani), Jack James, Mary Kathryn James, Natalie James, Melisa James and Connor James.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Tabernacle Church of Pamplico, directed by Cain Calcutt Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be in the fellowship hall following the service.

Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Church Cemetery Fund, 6758 Francis Marion Rd, Pamplico, SC 29583.

Announcement courtesy of the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc.