Wencie Ann Smith James, age 81, of Gordo, AL died September 24, 2026 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Sunday, September 27, 2026 at New Salem Baptist Church in Reform with Bro. Mike Hall, Bro. Ryan James and Bro. Stuart Vail officiating. Burial will be in Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be one hour prior and immediately following the service at the church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Chester James and her parents.

Survivors include her sons, Shane James (Mia) and Marcus James (Stephanie); five sisters, Gail Halmark, Lavone Moore, Regenia McAdams, Shelby Burkhart and DeWanda Wright; three brothers, Larry Smith, Doug Smith and Tim Smith; seven grandchildren, Ryan James (Tara), Holly Hall (Caleb), Nathan James, Darrin Stephens (Lizeth), Autumn Adams (Richard), Lindsey Bradshaw (Austin Smith) and Amanda McKinney (Larry); sixteen great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Wencie was born May 16, 1945 in Palmetto, Alabama to the late Frank Smith and Mevaline Ruffin Smith. She was a member of New Salem Baptist Church and a retired employee of Westinghouse.

Pallbearers will be Darrin Stephens, Nathan James, Heath McAdams, Caleb Hall, Robby McAdams and Austin Smith.

Honorary Pallbearers are Larry McKinney, Charles and Rachel Maxwell, Lloyd and Janet Bradley, Cherokee and Debbie Brasher and Ralph Wilson.

Special thanks to Aspire, DCH Regional Medical Center staff and the staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS.