Carol Ann Hinchliffe James, of Ruston, Louisiana, passed away Thursday, September 6, 2012, at the age of 60, after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer. Visitation will be held Monday, September 10, 2012, at Trinity United Methodist Church at 3 p.m., followed immediately by a memorial service at 4 p.m., with Senior Pastor Jerry Hilbun, Associate Pastor Brian Mercer, and Youth Minister Logan Hunt officiating under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. The family also plans to hold a memorial in Carol's hometown of Waitsburg, Washington, at a later date. Carol was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on January 29, 1952, and raised in Waitsburg, Washington. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Noel Bryant James II, and her two daughters, Amanda Ann James and Elisha Leigh James. She is also survived by her mother, Jean Hinchliffe; brother, Michael Hinchliffe, and wife Jan; sister, Mary Kay Paul, and husband Mark; brother-in-law, Robert James, and wife Laurie; and sister-in-law, Loralu Conville. She is survived by seven nieces and nephews, as well as 10 great nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her father, Donald Sidney “Buck” Hinchliffe. Pallbearers will include John Buske, Gabe Conville, Scott Conville, Butch Crain, Bill Deese, Kent Follette, David Rogers, and Bruce Van Zandt. Carol graduated from Waitsburg High School in Waitsburg, Washington, and received her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in child studies from Washington State University in 1974. She earned her Mater of Arts in elementary education from Louisiana Tech University in 1980. In 1995, she earned her Master of Arts plus 30. Carol taught elementary education for 34 years in North Louisiana. She began her teaching career at Central Elementary School, teaching first and second grades. She then taught at Bienville High School, teaching first, second, and third grades. Most of her teaching career was spent at Crawford Elementary in Arcadia, where she predominantly taught second grade. She concluded her teaching career at Cypress Springs Elementary in Ruston, where she taught third and fifth grades. Carol was named Cypress Springs Elementary Teacher of the Year and Lincoln Parish Teacher of the Year for 2006-2007. She retired in May 2010. Carol was an active member, and past president, of Beta Sigma Phi, Eta Omicron Chapter, the Ruston-Grambling League of Women Voters, and the North Louisiana Reading Council. She was also a member of the Louisiana Reading Association, the International Reading Association, Alpha Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa, the Louisiana Association of Educators, and the National Education Association. Carol served as both a mentor and tutor at Cypress Springs Elementary, and worked with Adopt-a-School sponsors James Technology and Beta Sigma Phi. She was a member of the Goodwill Lunching service organization and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Carol was an avid Washington State Cougars fan. She enjoyed traveling, particularly to the Northwest, where she was able to visit with family and friends. She loved spending time in the mountains, as well as at D'Arbonne Lake, a gathering place for both friends and family. Carol enjoyed reading, particularly mystery novels, and often tuned in to Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune once retired. The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Christus Schumpert Cancer Treatment Center, particularly Dr. Neelima Chintapalli, Nurse Practitioner Kate Young, the nurses of the Cancer Treatment Center, and Pharmacist Gus Hamdan. The family would like to thank family and friends who travelled across the country to visit Carol, as well as local family and friends who provided company and support to Carol and the family. The family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com