Laurie Ellis James, 70, a Carson City resident for the past 40 years, died March 3. She was born Oct. 4, 1932, in Gardnerville.
She attended Stewart Indian Boarding School and graduated from Douglas County High School. She was a member of the Washoe tribe of Nevada and California.
Ms. James served as executive secretary in the late 1960s at the UNR Department of Mines, Nevada State Crime Commission and Department of Energy; and retired from the Nevada State Child Support Enforcement division in Carson City.
She was an avid Raiders football fan and loved watching baseball, basketball, tennis and boxing.
She was preceded in death by her aunt Elaine Christensen; and brother and sister-in-law Perial and Delores Ellis.
Among her survivors are her brothers Ranger Ellis of Carson City, Lerial Ellis of Schurz; sister, Rowena Pogue; half-sister, Valencia (Kathy) Rakow of Alpine, Calif.; children Marshall Jack of Lee Vining, Calif., Sherrada James of Reno and Terance James and Jody James-Smokey, both of Wadsworth; grandchildren Stephanie Smokey, La Rei and John James of Wadsworth, Jolie Kizer of Gardnerville, Shane Jack of Victorville, Calif., Shannon Jack of Reno, and Brandon and Alina Jack of Simi, Calif.; great-grandson, Anthony McNeil of California; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
At her request, no service will be held.
Condolences may be sent to Jody James-Smokey, P.O. Box 458, Wadsworth, NV 89552.
Cremation will be at FitzHenry's Funeral Home.
