Carey James

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:00 PM Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Mrs. Nathan James, the former Carey Bennett, 95, who died Saturday, August 4, 2012 in Lafayette. Entombment will follow in the Holy Family Cemetery. Rev. Ed Degeyter will be the Celebrant. A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM Tuesday. Visitation will continue Wednesday from 8:00 AM until 2:30 PM. A native and resident of New Iberia, Mrs. James was a graduate of New Iberia High School, Class of 1934. After graduation, she attended S.L.I. (U.L.L.) and received her teaching degree in 1938. Her first teaching position was at St. Michael Parochial School in Crowley. In Iberia Parish, she taught at Weeks Island, and at Hopkins Street Schools. In the summer of 1956, she received her Master of Education degree from L.S.U., and years later she attended U.S.L. (U.L.L.) and received 30 more hours of special education courses. In the fall of 1957, Mrs. James was selected to teach a special vocational class at the Iberia Trade School. This class was organized by Iberia Parish Supervisor, Mrs. Theda Ewing, with the approval of the State Department of Education and the assistance of the U.S.L. Special Education departments, and the assistance of the director of the Trade School. The class which operated for 10 years, proved to be a success and became a model for future special vocational classes. After ten years of teaching this special class, Mrs. James joined the U.S.L. Special Education Department as an Assistant Professor. She taught Special Education classes, did student evaluations, and supervised the Reading Lab during the summer sessions. She worked in the Special Education department for ten years, and retired from U.S.L. in August 1977. In January 1978, she was employed by the state to work with the Right to Read and Spur programs in Iberia and St. Martin parishes. The schools selected for the program succeeded in becoming model schools. Mrs. James later contracted with Iberia Parish to do student evaluations, and supervise Special Education teachers. She devoted over 45 years to education, in which she enjoyed working with the teachers and students. Mrs. James was also active in many education and social groups. She is a charter member of Kappa Kappa Iota, an educational sorority, and Delta Kappa Gamma, also an educational sorority. Other groups she was active in were the Cancer Association of Iberia Parish, Mental Health Association, Iberia Retired Teachers Association, Krewe of Iberian, The Hoedowners Square Dance Club, Sugar Cane Festival and Fair Association, Friends of the Shadows, Lions Club, and the Holiday Rambler Camping Club. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Nathan James; her father, Luke Bennett; her mother, Sarah C. Bennett; and by seven sisters, and four half brothers. Survivors include her two sons, Larry James of New Iberia, Kenneth James and wife Frances of Natchitoches; two granddaughters, Carey James Brewer of Natchitoches, Mary James Claycomb of Covington; and three great grandsons, Dalton Brewer, Ethan Brewer, and Asher Claycomb. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.