Sallie James Obituary

JAMES, Sallie SPARTANBURG - Sallie Marvil Barre James of Spartanburg died Wednesday, December 1, 2004, at home. A native of Spartanburg, she was the wife of William Adolphus James, Jr., M.D., and the daughter of the late Claude Bertram and Shirley Black Barre. She was the granddaughter of the late Dr. Henry Walter and Florence Tillotson Barre of Clemson and the late Dr. Samuel Orr and Sallie Marvil Black of Spartanburg. Mrs. James attended Spartanburg City schools and was graduated from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA, in 1968 with a B.A. in history. Her course work included summer study at St. Anne's College, Oxford University. After graduation she joined the Mary Baldwin staff as Assistant Director of Information Services, the office of press relations and publications. In 1970 she moved to Washington, D.C. as executive director of the National Federation of Republican Women. In that position and later as special assistant to the Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee, she directed five biennial National Republican women's conventions, as well as directed women's media operations and special women's events for two Republican National Conventions. She also established and directed campaign management schools across the country for Republican women candidates and campaign leaders. After her marriage, she relocated to New York City, where she was elected president of the Women's National Republican Club, and continued her professional work on a consulting basis. The Jameses decided in 1989 to make their home in Spartanburg, where she continued her political involvement as a volunteer, holding leadership positions in several local and statewide campaigns. The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg presented her with its 2000 David W. Reid Award, the community's highest honor for volunteer service to the arts. She formerly was president of the Spartanburg Little Theatre, chairman of the theatre's 50th anniversary celebration, and was honored as a lifetime member of its board of directors in 2004. She was vice president of the Ballet Guild (now Ballet Spartanburg), member of The Arts Partnership's board as chairman of the President's Council, a committee chairman for the first four Dickens of a Christmas festivals, chairman of a division for the first united arts campaign, and a Beaux Arts Ball co-chairman. She served on the eleven-member Arts 2001 Blue Ribbon Task Force established to implement A Cultural Plan for Spartanburg County in 1992. She was a member of the steering committee for the Cultural Facilities Planning Committee that was established by The Arts Partnership to oversee plans and the capital campaign for a new center for the arts, humanities, and science for Spartanburg County. Spartanburg Technical College honored her with its Women of Achievement in the Arts award in 2000. Mrs. James was a former board member of Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, a former officer of the South Carolina Historical Society and a former officer of the Spartanburg Technical College Foundation, which named her its Philanthropist of the Year in 2003. She served on the campaign cabinet that directed the Spartanburg Humane Society's successful fund raising drive to build a new animal shelter and co-chaired the first Critter Cotillion to raise operating funds for the shelter and its educational programs. At the time of her death, she was President of The Assembly, a member of the Fortnightly Flower Club, the Spartanburg Garden Club, the Book and Garden Club, the Thursday Study Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her brother, Henry Walter Barre, II and his wife Carol Crenshaw Barre of Spartanburg; two nieces, Blair Barre Morris and her husband William Dickson Morris, Jr., and Jeri Crenshaw Barre, all of Columbia; a nephew, Bert Dixon Barre and his wife Katherine Orr Barre of Spartanburg; a great-nephew, William Dickson Morris, II of Columbia; beloved cousins; and Rufus and Tuppence. The family will have a private interment. A memorial service will be conducted Friday, December 3, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church conducted by the Rev. H. G. Wardlaw, Jr., the Rev. Larry Bates, and the Rev. Thomas Herrington. The family will receive friends at home following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to any of Mrs. James' community interests, including: The Arts Partnership Capital Campaign at 385 South Spring Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; the Spartanburg Little Theatre at 385 South Spring Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; the Spartanburg Humane Society at 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303; Spartanburg Technical College Foundation at P. O. Box 4386, Spartanburg, SC 29305; or Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve at 832 John B. White Blvd., Spartanburg, SC 29306. FLOYD'S GREENLAWN CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.