Betty Jane James

Betty Jane James (formerly Brittle), 71, of North Chesterfield, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:09 p.m. She was the daughter of the late Maurice Abbott James and Barbara Lee James (Sadler) of Enon.

Betty retired from the Richmond Public Schools system in 2004 after 25 years of service. She started out working at the Richmond Public Schools Warehouse and then transitioned to Fisher Elementary towards the end of her career. She raised her daughter by herself, working various side jobs to make ends meet and coached her cheerleading squad. She was an extremely independent woman that lived her life her way till the end. She was a fiercely protective mama, grandmother/great-grandmother, daughter, sister, and loyal friend. She loved Madea, Big Dogs, Yellowstone, the Outer Banks, sweet tea, her soap operas, and horse racing. She wrote/submitted her own "Plugger" jokes that were published. She had a very funny and sassy sense of humor. She enjoyed taking a car full of kids to various parks on the weekends to play (sun or snow). She loved animals and single-handedly caught/took hundreds of neighborhood strays to get spayed/neutered, get their shots, etc. She spoke fondly of fun trips she had taken during her life (New York, Florida, Oregon, California, West Virginia, Outer Banks, etc.). She would do anything for anyone. She was a great listener with a beautiful sweet soul that will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Rhodes (Gerald); sister, Mary James (Pat); sister, Alice Colcleaser (Dennis); 2 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 2 nephews, grandniece/grandnephews, numerous cousins, and her lifetime "BFF," Barbara Piazza (Charles).

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. There will be a private interment. In lieu of flowers, if so inclined, donations can be made in her honor to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org or the Richmond Animal League at www.ral.org.