Nina Irene James, 100, formerly of Robinson, IL and Jasper County, IL, died Monday, December 5, 2005 at Redstone Highlands Nursing Center, Greensburg, PA. She was born October 9, 1905 in Willow Hill, IL, the daughter of James Edgar Ridlen and Virginia Caroline (Lanter) Ridlen. She graduated from Willow Hill High School in 1924 and attended teachers college at Normal, IL. She began her teaching career at Palestine, IL, teaching second grade. In the 1930's her husband, Clinton James opened up his own grocery/meat market in Robinson and Nina assisted in their entrepreneurial venture. She taught in the Robinson School District Unit 2 for 26 years retiring in 1971. During this time she was acclaimed for her ability to teach phonics and was asked by the District Superintendent Roe M. Wright to travel with her first grade class to the state capitol, Springfield, IL, and be on television demonstrating the reading skills of her class. She was a past member of the Robinson Women's Club. She was a volunteer with the TB Association serving on fund raising campaigns. She was active in the school's PTA. Nina is a member of the United Methodist Church, Robinson, IL.
She married Clinton F. James of Willow Hill, IL. and he preceded her in death on August 1, 1966. She was also preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Lionel and Herman Ridlen; and a sister, Eunice Marie Higgins.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Virginia Carolyn and William L. Rogers, Export, PA; 2 grandsons and their wives, Wallace James and Amber Wright, Apollo, PA and Steven Harrison and Debbie Wright, Dripping Springs, TX; her great granddaughter, Jeanna and great grandson, Steven Gregory Wright, both of Dripping Springs, TX; 2 nephews and their wives, Kenneth and Barbara Higgins, Sorrento, FL, and Dr. James and Dolores Ridlen, Hinsdale, IL. Local survivors include grand nephew and his wife, Dick and Roberta Ridlen; great grand niece and her husband, Tawyna and Kyle Bailey; great grand nephew and his wife, Brian and Kendra Ridlen; great great grand nephews, Jared and Joshua Bailey; and great great grand nieces, Jenna Bailey and Olivia Ridlen.
Funeral services will be Friday, December 9, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of the First United Methodist Church, Robinson, IL with Kyle Bailey and Rev. Max Borah officiating. Burial will be in the Mound Cemetery, Willow Hill, IL. Visitation will be Thursday, December 8th from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, 201 W. Walnut St, Robinson, IL. 62454 or to the Highlands Benevolent Care Fund, 6 Garden Center Dr, Greensburg, PA. 15601.