Frances Aline Tracey James of Hampstead and formerly of Rocky Point died on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at Brunswick Community Hospital.

Frances was the daughter of Captain Ray Francis Tracey and his wife, Minnie Della Lanier, she was born on March 27, 1919, in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, where her father was stationed at nearby Ft. Dix.

Later that year, Captain Tracey was sent to Germany with the US Army of occupation. Frances and her mother moved to Galesburg, Illinois where they lived with her paternal grandparents until her father's return. Captain Tracey was injured during post-war rioting and returned to the United States for treatment and recovery.

In 1925, Frances, her mother, and two sisters, Jane Elizabeth and Mary, moved to Pender County while her father went to a new job in Tennessee. Expecting to hear he had located housing for them, they soon learned he had disappeared.

Frances grew up in the home of her grandfather, Albert Spencer Lanier, on part of the Lillington Plantation in eastern Pender County. It was here that she learned the responsibilities of an eldest daughter. In 1938, Frances married Linwood James and settled on the Hugh McRae Farm in Inversheil, Rocky Point where Mr. James was farm manager. Sons, Tracey and Allen, were born while the family continued to live in Rocky Point.

After her sons left for college, Frances began working at the Rocky Point Post Office and soon became postmaster, a position she held for over 20 years. She was known to her patrons as a helpful, friendly person. She was recognized by the Postmaster General for her management of the growing Rocky Point mail service. She oversaw the construction of and relocation to the new Post Office.

Frances retired in 1990 and moved to Hampstead a few years later. She became reacquainted with a long-lost cousin and traveled with her through the western United States. In 1992, she was happy to learn of her half-brother and sister, George Tracey of Colorado and Nancy Tracey Dunn of New Mexico. She embraced both them and their families. Her lost years were spent enjoying the company of both long-held and newly found family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Linwood James; two sisters, Jane Elizabeth Tracey Shearin and Mary Tracey Williamson; her mother, Minnie Della Lanier Tracey and her father, Ray Francis Tracey.

She is survived by her sons, Julian Tracey James and wife, Phyllis of Shallotte, NC, and Edward Allen James and wife, Ann Batson of Cary, NC; granddaughter, Tshya James Mahon and her husband, Edward of Salisbury, Maryland; and great grandchildren, Isabelle James and Jakob Allen Mahon. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, many of whom lived with her for periods of time in their younger years.

A memorial service was held Friday, November 14, at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Burgaw and a private burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery on Shaw Highway.

Memorial gifts should be directed to Pike Rocky Point Presbyterian Church, 7450 US Hwy 117 S, Rocky Point, NC 28425.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.