Emma James Bodden

Emma James Bodden, 89, of Kingsland, formerly of Port Arthur, died Wednesday, October 7, 2020. She was born January 9, 1931, in Port Arthur, to Fay Cooper James and Roy “Big Boy” James.

Emma was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. On April 10, 1952, she married Boyd Bodden in a ceremony at St. John Lutheran Church. She and Boyd had five children.

At age forty, Emma graduated from Lamar University and took a job as a Special Education teacher at Orangefield Elementary. She later worked as an Education Diagnostician and retired as Director of Special Education. After retirement, she volunteered at the Mission’s Attic, the Bridge City Food Program, and participated in Kairos Prison Ministry. She was nominated as Port Arthur Citizen of The Year.

Emma was a long-time member of St. John Lutheran Church, which is now Providence Church, and loved serving her church in every capacity. She especially enjoyed her years of work with the St. John Day Care. She conducted weekly chapel and took pride that she was able to teach so many children about Jesus.

Emma also found great fulfillment by participating in Kairos Prison Ministry. She was a founding member of the ministry in this area and was dedicated to taking the Gospel into Stiles Prison. Some of her favorite things to do aside from volunteering was Bible study, reading, and traveling.

Survivors include her children, Belen Bodden, of Richardson; Aleta Goenne and husband, Fred, of Kingsland; Marla Williams and husband, Dennis, of Beaumont; David Bodden, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Andrea Giovinazzo, of Austin; sister, Patsy Williams and husband, Van; grandchildren, Corby Williams; Amy Dunman; Amanda Sims; Krystin Bodden; and Alex, Brianna, and Nathan Giovinazzo; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of fifty-four years, Boyd Bodden; and brother, Elroy James.

A gathering of Mrs. Bodden’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with her funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 12, 2020, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.

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