Merline James, 93, Minot, died Easter Sunday morning, April 24, 2011, in Minot, ND.

Merline was born Christmas Day, December 25, 1917, in Wichita, KS, the daughter of Frank and Bessie (Henderson) Byrd. She was raised in Kansas and Oklahoma, the third child in a family of nine. Her father worked in the oil fields of Oklahoma and her mother, with the children, ran the family farm. Merline especially enjoyed caring for her younger siblings, in particular her baby brother, Merle. As the children grew up, they continued to remain close and lived near each other and their Mother for the remainder of their lives.

A union of 68 years began with an invitation to dance at a Bob Wills dance in Bristow, Oklahoma. Ralph W. James took one look at Merline and decided he had to grab her before Hollywood did! They danced their first dance that night and as they said, "We never stopped dancing." Marriage vows were celebrated on October 5, 1936, in his hometown of Independence, Missouri. Their home was Sapulpa, OK, where he pastored and she lovingly mothered her two children and supported her husband in his calling to bring souls to Christ.

In 1959, they moved to Sacramento, CA with their family. Merline quickly turned their new house into a beautiful home. She loved to read her Bible, sew, garden and cook. Everyone had a favorite dish she cooked just for them. Merline raised Boston Terrior puppies and always had puppies and grandkids all around her. Her family was the recipient of much love and attention, of which, grandma happily gave. In 1999, Ralph and Merline moved to Minot to be near their granddaughter and grandson and their children. In 2000, the rest of the family moved to Minot. Ralph Sr. passed away on December 7, 2004.

Merline loved Jesus with all her heart and fought the good fight of faith until Jesus called her home. Heaven is celebrating her homecoming. Merline will be remembered for her steadfast love, unwavering faith, kindness, gentleness, and belief that, "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord." Merline will be deeply missed by all who shared in her life.

Her loving family includes: daughter, Shirley (Benny) Archuleta, Minot, ND; grandchildren, Kelly (Jerry) Johnston, Kristy (Bob) Duncan, Tonya (Scott) Lewis, Anthony (Cathy) Archuleta, Gilbert (Fran)Archuleta, Brenda Zeltman, Bobby Lundy-James, Jon Robert James; great-grandchildren, Julian Archuleta, Carissa Manifad, Rozelyn Lendamolder, Cody Bohrman, Elizabeth Lewis, Timothy Lewis, Christina-Rose Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Sydney Archuleta, TJ Archuleta, and Oliver Lewis and Olivia Lewis; great-great grandchildren, Hailee and Alexis Lendamulder, Brittany, Christopher and Cody Manifold and Katie and Kodiak Zeltman; brother, Merle (Connie) Byrd, Medford, OR and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Merline was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ralph, son, Ralph Jr., infant daughter, Jacqueline, sisters, Evalee Furnare and Elaine King, and brothers, Raymond, Buck, Norman, Carl and Tommy Byrd.

Graveside Service : Monday, May 2, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. with final graveside prayers at 1:00 p.m., at Sunset Lawn Chapel Of The Chimes, Sacramento, CA.