Grace E. James of Independence, Missouri and a former resident of Albany passed away Friday, September 18, 2009 at the Rehabilitation Center of Independence at the age of 103 years and 10 months. Grace was born October 26, 1905 in Gentry County, Missouri to John and Harriet (Grantham) Pierce. Grace graduated from Albany High School and received her teacher's certificate from the college in Maryville, Missouri. She taught school in David and Jennings rural districts prior to her marriage to Jim James on December 26, 1925. They farmed together in the Carmack, Missouri area for over 50 years. Grace was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother, Ora (Grantham) Pierce; her husband of 54 years, Jim James; her siblings Lizzie Tomlinson, George Pierce, Ora Wharton Clark, Lester Pierce and Eph Pierce and granddaughter Debbie (James) Scovill and husband Rick. Survivors include her sons and their spouses, J.W. and Billie (Cook) James; Ronald and Linda James; granddaughter Bobbie (James) Harris all of Independence, MO; grandson Randy & Sherri James, Greenwood, MO; great-granddaughters Heather & Bob White, Independence, MO; Johnna & Daniel Savage, Pattonsburg, MO and Emily James, Greenwood, MO; great-grandson Derek James, Greenwood, MO; great-great-grandchildren, Nick Reed, Alexis Harris, Shelby White, Maria Savage, Vincent Savage, Paige Stuart, Alexis Campbell and Riley Campbell.