Betty J. James, 82, Lead, SD died Saturday March 15, 2014 at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish.

Betty was born January 21, 1932 at Hanna, SD to Edward and Ethel (Richards) Dryer. She was raised in that area, graduating from Lead high School in 1950. She moved into Lead after graduation, where she went to work as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone in Deadwood from 1950-1953. She married Don James on September 13, 1953 at the United Methodist Church in Lead. Betty then became a homemaker and began raising a family of four children.   She later became the bookkeeper for Don's Electric, when they started their own business.

Betty's family gatherings at the Snapper's Club for holidays were always special. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, as they were a very important part of her life. She enjoyed riding motorcycle and camping. Betty enjoyed road trips with Joe and Marcie Mack in their 1959 Lincoln. She also enjoyed spending time with friends Steve and Rayetta Ziebell and their family. She enjoyed playing cards, making crafts, bowling, photography, family scrapbooks and being a part of the Krafty Kin Klub. Betty was also a member of #18 Order of the Eastern Star and the Trinity United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her children, Rodney (Waltraud) James, Stillwater, MN, Stanley (Debbie) James, Spearfish, Donna (Steve) Whiton, Deadwood, Nancy Benfit (Allan Pfarr), Spearfish; special friend, like a son, Monty Westphal, Lead; grandchildren, Bridget (Carl) Gostola, Lead, Scott (Lindsey) James, AZ, Amber Whiton (Beau Burnham) Lead, Eric James, Spearfish, Adam Whiton, Deadwood, Nick James, Spearfish; Godson, Jacob Pinske; great-grandchildren, Kemper Whiton, Cole Burnham, Shade Whiton-Burnham, Emma James, Sawyer James and Echo Gostola, sister; Phyllis (Duane) Bury, Spearfish; brother-in-law, Paul Talley, Cheyenne WY; step-brother, Marvin (Joan) Lambrecht, ID; step-sister-in-law, Kris Lambrecht, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don James; sisters, Evelyn Mason, Dorothy Talley; brother-in-law, Robert Mason; step-brother, Leroy Lambrecht; infant sister, Eva Rose Dryer and granddaughter; Jessica.

Visitation for Betty will be 5-7 PM, Friday, March 21, 2014 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 22, 2014 also at the Chapel. A time of fellowship will follow at the Christian Ministry Center. Inurnment will be at a later date at Mt. Lawn Cemetery near Lead.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel.