Margaret Emma (Nausley) James

Margaret “Maggie” Emma, nee Nausley, James, who was named for both of her grandmothers, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma at the age of 86 years, 2 months and 7 days. She was born October 27, 1934 on the family farm in Oak Hill, MO to Esther Nausley, nee Homfeldt and Roy Nausley.

Margaret attended public school in Owensville, MO for grades 1-9 and 10th-12th grade in Cuba, MO graduating with the class of 1952. During those years, she was active in 4-H. She then began her career with Brown Shoe Company in Steelville in the summer of 1952. It was there she met her husband by keeping a record of his miscuts (in the shoe factory). She became the chief clerk in the payroll office until the factory closed in the mid-1990’s. She then worked in the Crawford County Clerk’s Office in Steelville, computerizing the county land records.

Margaret married Richard S. James on May 1, 1954 at the 1st Baptist Church in Sullivan, MO. That was the first wedding in the then, new sanctuary and was officiated by Rev. Owens.

Margaret followed Christ when she was 15 and was baptized in the Meramec River, joining the 1st Baptist Church in Sullivan, MO. In the 1960’s, she was the pianist for 1st Baptist Church in Cuba for a few years. She later joined Steelville First Baptist Church and was a member for 45 years. While there, she served as church treasurer, a Sunday school teacher and sometimes as church secretary when needed and also would help in the church library. She was a member of Saints Alive and played the piano for Sunday school at Gibbs Care Center.

While in Steelville, Margaret was president of the local VFW Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Aim High Extension Club, assisted in the community food pantry, Golden Echoes, the Garden Club, was a 4-H leader and was a member of the Sarah Barton Murphy Chapter of the DAR in Farmington, MO.

In 2010, she moved to Bartlesville, OK to live near family and joined the Eastern Heights Baptist Church. While in Bartlesville, she was a faithful volunteer at the Voice of the Martyrs, filled food bags for school children and transferred to the Bartlesville chapter of the DAR. In 2013, she followed her family to Jenks, OK and joined Trinity Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK. There she volunteered with Trinity by playing the piano at a local nursing home and also was active in the Jenks Senior Center. In 2016, she moved to Prairie Rose Independent Living in Tulsa, OK and enjoyed many activities including the choir. Three years later in 2019, she moved to The Gardens Nursing facility in Sapulpa, OK.

Margaret loved to read. When she first became employed she immediately joined three book clubs. She loved playing the piano, all night Southern Gospel sings, the saxophone in school, singing alto, genealogy, Facebook, and needlework. When in high school, she and her cousin Bobby Dunton Kamler, participated in a girl’s trio called “The Agony Sisters.” One of her fondest memories was a five-week trip to England to visit relatives. She also enjoyed numerous trips to Washington, DC.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Roy Nausley; parents-in-law, Charley and Bertha, nee Dierking, James; her husband, Richard S. James in 2003; and grandson, Joshua Leo Collins in 1989.

She is survived by two daughters, Karen (Bevan) Collins of Jenks, OK and Kathryn James of Centreville, VA; one son, Richard R. (Pamela) James of O’Fallon, MO; four grandchildren, Charles (Lindsay) Collins of Owasso, OK, Stephen Collins of Sapulpa, OK, Kristin (Danny) Pulipati of Waco, TX and Bethany James of Kansas City, MO; four great-grandchildren, Daniel, Josiah, Esther and Hannah (to be born in February) Collins of Owasso, OK; cousins, other relatives; and many friends.

The Family received friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home with Rev. Rick Haggett, of the Steelville First Baptist Church, officiating. Special music of “When the Roll is called up yonder” and “When we all get to Heaven” was played on piano by Cheryl Haggett for a congregational sing.

Live streaming was done on the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home Facebook page. 

Please observe social distancing of six feet along with wearing a mask while attending the visitation and/or funeral. We thank you for your patience, respect and understanding for the Family and yourselves.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery.

The James Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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