MaeBelle James

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, September 10, 2021, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in St. Martinville for Mae Belle James, 85, who passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021.The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Thursday and continue on Friday at 7:00 am until 10:30 am on Friday. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery in St. Martinville. MaeBelle James was born on August 15, 1936, to the late, Florence Skipper and Samuel Drake, Sr. in St. Martinville, Louisiana. MaeBelle was the fifth of nine children. She was a loving wife for 47 years to the late Paulmer James, Sr. and a caring mother to her eight children. MaeBelle gained employment with Martin Mills for several good years. After relinquishing her duties there, MaeBelle later worked for Gulf Coast Family Services for 24 years as a caretaker for her granddaughter. She was a faithful parishioner of Notre Dame Catholic Church; she was a praying woman and true believer of Christ. MaeBelle as a woman of her faith; she enjoyed saying her rosary several times in the day.MaeBelle was member of The Goodwill Society, Friendly Neighbor Social and Civic Club, Sister of Blessed Sacrament, Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, and Sisters in Christ Organization.MaeBelle was affectionately known as Kye, Aunt Kye, Red, Maw Maw and Granny to her family and friends, whom she loved dearly and only saw the good in everyone. She loved cooking Sunday dinner for her children, grandchildren, and anyone else that wanted to eat. She also enjoyed traveling with her children, especially going to events for her grandchildren. Now and then, she enjoyed going to the casino. MaeBelle was a huge football fan, especially of the New Orleans Saints. Her family and friends will truly miss the random and loving check-in calls that she so much loved to do. She was a proud, beautiful, strong woman, and she was a role model for many. She is survived by her three daughters, Paulette Solomon (Dormas), Elaine Williams (Finley) and Bernadine "Tina" Trahan; son, Paulmer James Jr. (Lois); two sisters, Florence Vitto and Lena Francois; 20 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.She was preceded in death by her husband, Paulmer James, Sr.; parents, Samuel Drake Sr. and Florence Skipper Drake; four brothers, Lawrence Drake, Samuel Drake, Jr., Terry Drake and Thomas Drake; three sisters, Mable Batiste, Ethel Mitchell and Calvina Narcisse; two daughters, Yvonne James and Peggy James; two sons, Neil James and Peter James; and two grandchildren, Gertrude Williams and Lindsey Lewis. Pallbearers will be Andre James, Keithlyn James, Avery Vitto, Tyus Lewis, Nolan Narcisse, Jr. and Javontae James.Honorary pallbearers will be Paulmer James, Jr., Dormas Solomon, Jr., Finley Williams, Clarence Hypolite, Eric Mitchell, Clarence Kerlegan, Nolan Batiste, Jr., Avery Gedward, Peter James, Jr., Kevin Mitchell, Larry Drake, Eric Drake, Waymond Drake, Arnold Drake, Joseph Trahan, and Gregory Holloway.Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville, 112 New Market St., St. Martinville, LA 70582, (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.<iframe class="ts_player" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/C6YL5LHNN8KZW6XM" width="512"></iframe>