Kathryn A. Giboney James, 98, of Lubbock Texas, peacefully passed away on April 2, 2024.

Kathryn was born on August 1, 1925, to Joseph Fred and Sybil Rogers Giboney in Greene County, Missouri. After high school, she pursued both undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Southwest Missouri State Teachers College, and the University of Missouri. Her degrees focused on education with an emphasis in art and home economics.

After graduation, she worked in education, teaching in multiple school districts, including Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia for over forty years. Kathryn was passionate about teaching and received recognition as a Kentucky Colonel, a prestigious honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky on individuals for noteworthy accomplishments, contributions to civil society, remarkable deeds, or outstanding service to the community, state, or nation.

In 1948 Kathryn married Charles E. James in Columbia, Missouri, where she was a graduate student. They went on to have three children, Kathryn Janette, Jacquelyn Annette, and Charles Roger. They were married for 50 years.

Kathryn retired from Central High School in Springfield, Missouri. While retired, Kathryn had time to pursue her love of art, travel, flea marketing, lake life, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), serving as the flag chairperson in Southwest Missouri.

Kathryn was predeceased by her husband, Charles. Parents (Fred and Sybil Giboney), siblings (Roger Giboney, Carl Giboney, and Louise Schreiber), and grandchildren (Dustin Denney and Megan James).

Kathryn is survived by her children, Kathryn Janette “Jan” Odenbaugh and her husband Oliver of Seymour, Tennessee and daughter, Jennifer Stone of Maryville, Tennessee. Jacquelyn Annette “Jacque” Christmas, her husband Brian of Webb City, Missouri, and their children, Danielle Platner (husband Eric) of Joplin, Missouri, and Jake Christmas of Detroit, Michigan. Charles Roger James, his wife Erin, and their daughters, Bella, and Samantha, of Lubbock, Texas. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Kyler Perry (Webb City, Missouri) and Keslee Platner (Joplin, Missouri). She has many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, MO on April 10, 2024, at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Joplin Out Of Darkness Walk, Make A Wish Foundation , American Cancer Society, or to an organization or charity of your choice.