Maryse James

Maryse F. James was born April 2, 1928, in Algeria, North Africa which at that time was a department of France. War played a major role in her life. She was eleven when World War II was declared and seventeen when it finally ended. It was at this time that she met Arthur D. James, a young American Army officer stationed in Algeria as he prepared for the Italian Invasion. When the war ended in 1945, Arthur was sent home to Georgia. He and Maryse continued to correspond with one another over the next 2 years while he worked to save enough money to secure passage on a Liberty Ship to sail back to Algeria to marry Maryse and bring her home to Cedartown with him. Maryse returned to Algeria in 1950 with her then two-year-old son, George, to introduce him to her family. It was the eve of the French Algerian War for Independence, and this would be Maryse’s last visit to her cherished homeland. She often spoke lovingly of Algeria and her magical childhood there.

In 1953, Maryse and Arthur assisted her mother, Marie Louise Ferri, her brother, Claude Ferri, and her sister, Jacqueline Murphy in immigrating to the United States. From North Africa to North Georgia, they joined Maryse and Arthur and their two young children, George and Kathy, and Arthur’s most welcoming family for a new life in rural Georgia.

In addition to being a dedicated homemaker, Maryse had a successful career as an educator. In the Sixties she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shorter College. Madame James taught French language studies, first at Thornwood School for Girls and later at Darlington School, both in Rome, Georgia.

As much as she loved teaching, Maryse loved to travel even more. In her life she would visit over 20 countries and wished she could have visited twenty more. She very much enjoyed family trips with Arthur and her three grandchildren, Neil, Andrew, and Jackie, often visiting natural wonders, historic heritage sites, and sprawling museums. She was an avid reader and enjoyed all manner of cultural events, attending innumerable plays, concerts, lectures, and exhibitions in her lifetime.

She had a clever, inquisitive mind and was a big fan of word puzzles. She loved playing cards and board games, particularly French games like Le Tafaron and Mille Bournes.

She was also an exquisite cook. She spent countless hours in her kitchen whipping up soufflés, roasts, and casseroles. Her Christmas Bûche de Noël was rare treat for the family.

Maryse was energetic, very much so! It was often joked that while everyone else was only getting out of the car she would already be across the parking lot. Maryse was elegant and possessed an undeniable style. She had an enthusiasm for life and also a great sense of humor even when her son pulled the absolutely funniest pranks on her. She always laughed about the time George gave her a spook pretending to be a Halloween trick-or-treater.

Maryse F. James passed away in the early morning hours of August 17, 2025, at The Landings of Chestnut Grove in Sparta, North Carolina where she had been living since January of this year to be closer to her daughter, Kathy James of Fries, VA. She was 97 years old.

She is survived by her sister, Jacqueline Murphy; her daughter, Kathy James; her grandchildren, Andrew James, Neil James and spouse Bryce Edwards, their mother, Linda James, and Jacqueline Pfeffer; and dear family friend, Vicki Ballard. She is also survived by nephews and nieces: Tommy and Sandi James, and Reesie Dempsey, James and Shelia Collins, Martin Collins, Carol Collins, Mark and Karen Murphy and Paul and Tanya Murphy, Stephane and Stephanie Ferri, and their children.

A memorial service celebrating Maryse’s life will be held at Smith Miller Funeral Home, 1000 N. Main Street, Cedartown GA 30125, on October 4, 2025. Family will receive visitors in the chapel starting at 1:00 p.m. and the service will begin at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Maryse F. James.