Quava Loretta (Castle) James

Quava Loretta (Castle) James, 98, passed away on August 22, 2023, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. She was born on January 23, 1925, to Armond James Castle and Myrtle Ann (Barton) Castle in Yanush, OK. Her great-great aunt was Clara Barton of the American Red Cross.

Her unusual name, pronounced Q-ava, came from relatives who had visited France and brought the name back. Her parents liked it so well that they gave it to her! Quava grew up in Salem and Hatch, New Mexico. Her mother taught her to sew and cook. She did a lot of sewing for the public. At the age of 18, she traveled the US for the Western Union as a Multiplex Operator and as a Relief Operator during war time. 

Quava married the love of her life, Rex James Sr., in Salem, NM in 1946. They moved to Alamogordo in 1951, where she began teaching Sunday School to four-year-old children at First Baptist Church. She served faithfully for 53 years. Quava was also asked to start a daycare at First Baptist, which she ran successfully for 11 years. During this time, she took art classes at NMSU-A and became a Fine Art Artist. Her paintings hang across the US and across the seas. She enjoyed working in her yard taking care of her many Irises and Roses.

Quava is preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers, Albert, Noel and Marvin Castle; her sister, Lucile Allred; her husband of 72 years, Rex Sr.

She is survived by their three children: Rex Jr. (Karen), their two children and eight grandchildren; Tom (Lori), one son, two stepdaughters and two grandchildren; Susan (Scott), their two children, three grandchildren and three step grandchildren.

The Memorial Service for Quava James will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, September 11, 2023, at Bethel Baptist Church.

The James family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the services.

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