Fern James

Fern Elizabeth “Liz” James, 92, passed away August 12, 2004 in Kansas City, MO. Mrs. James was born on a farm near Inwood, Iowa on April 16, 1912 to Clara and Benjamin Datisman. During the early 1940’s she was Public Relations Director of Blue Cross/Blue Shield for three states. She was active in the Order of Eastern Star. She married Jerry Russell James in 1947. In 1951 Jerry took a position with USIA in Bangkok, Thailand. For the next 30 years, Liz, Jerry, and their family lived in Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia, Kenya, Brazil, Yugoslavia, Pakistan and India while Jerry worked for USIA and later the Library of Congress. One of Liz’s proudest accomplishments was the establishment of the International School Bangkok. Liz and others started the school in 1951 for 50 children of nited Nations and American diplomats. Today it is Thailand’s premier international school. Liz also served as the President of the International Wives Club in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Kenya. She was instrumental in raising funds for a museum in Mairobi and the creation of the International School of Nairobi. She taught where she resided until January 2004 when she moved to Kansas City to be closer to relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jerry, sisters Edna (Skip) Miller and Beulah Datisman. Liz is survived by her daughters, Judy Beaton of Novato, CA, Emilie Jester of Kansas City, MO, and Mary James of Centerville, MD; granddaughter Erika Ljungdahl of Kansas City, MO and grandson Sean Beaton; great granddaughter Kahla Beaton of Cotati, CA; nieces Mary Hoy and Jean Vezey; and nephews John Miller and Jim Miller. Liz loved her family and many friends. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, outspokenness, love of travel, bridge, dark glasses, exotic jewelry and always opening her home to guests. Memorial services will be held on September 10, 2004 at 4:30 PM at St. Martin’s in the Field, 375 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, MD.