Born in:
Chicago Heights, Illinois
Resided in:
Vienna, Virginia
Christine Kouba James was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois to Frank and Lorraine Kouba on July 29, 1951. Chris lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Glen Ellyn, Illinois before graduating from high school in the Philadelphia area in 1969. She is a 1973 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, where she met Pete James, whom she married on June 8. 1973. They served together in campus ministry with Coalition for Christian Outreach at Thiel College in Greenville, PA for three years before moving to the Boston area for Pete to attend Gordon Conwell Seminary where Chris worked as Director of Publications. They moved to Vienna, VA in June 1979 when Pete was called as a pastor to Vienna Presbyterian Church, a position he served for forty-two years. Their son Andrew was born in 1980 and Emily in 1982. Chris worked as a freelance artist and in later years with Sunrise Senior Living. She had a deep faith in Jesus Christ that informed what she truly valued in life, which was encouraging people and becoming a trusted friend to all she encountered. She treasured her family and was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her grandkids cherished and enjoyed their time with “Gam” as she was affectionately known.
Chris is survived by sister Kathleen (Kansas City), son Andrew and wife Becky (Boxford, MA) and daughter Emily and husband Mike (Lewisburg, PA). Chris and Pete have five grandchildren: Luke (15), Wes (13), Mikey (11), Ainsley (10) and Juliette (8).
A memorial service will be held at Vienna Presbyterian Church on Saturday March 29th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, Chris’ life may be honored through gifts to the Peter James Endowed Scholarship for Preaching at Gordon Conwell Seminary at www.gcts.edu (click “other” for designation and enter the James Scholarship Gift or send to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, 130 Essex St., South Hamilton, MA 01982.
Vienna Presbyterian Church
124 Park St. NE
Vienna, VA 22180
703-938-7440
We are broken hearted at the passing of Chris. Such a beautiful life and legacy she leaves behind. Our prayers for all the James’ in these days. We thank God that her salvation is secure in Christ. Sending much love, The Mulcahy family, friends of First Church Boxford.
