Judith D. James, 49, Accomplished Artist, Journalist, Author

She was born in Cleveland on March 17, 1958 and attended Collinwood High School.

She later enrolled at Lorain County Community College where she studied journalism. While at LCCC she was named to the Dean’s List on multiple occasions and was also a contributor to the school newspaper. She was a talented painter who enjoyed working with all paint media. She also enjoyed dancing, reading suspense novels, and spending time with her grandchildren. At the time of her death she was also writing her own biography.

Judy is survived by her son Jonathan Shirley of Lakewood, daughters Jamie Shirley and Angela “Angel” Rollin both of Spencer, Ohio, four grandchildren, mother Wanita Ward of Lorain, father King David Roark and stepmother Rose Roark residing in Kentucky, by sister Linda Cosari of Sheffield Lake and brother David Roark of Lorain, along with step-sister Katherine Horn of Cleveland, and half sisters Kay and Sherry residing in Kentucky.

She was preceded in death by her step-father Philip Ward.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 15, 2007, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue – Lorain. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral chapel with the Reverend Jimmy W. Madsen, Co-Pastor of First Evangelical Church in Lorain officiating. Burial will follow in Elmhurst Park Cemetery in Avon.