Kinsley Elizabeth James

Kinsley Elizabeth James was born to Judy Collins James and Elsie Clarence “Skip” James, III, 43 years ago. It was obvious from the start that she was strong, stubborn and determined to be in charge! With that determination, she graduated from UNC-Wilmington with a degree in English in 2006.

Her chosen career as a teacher was cut short at the age of 27 by a long journey of multiple and complicated medical challenges. She was never a quitter, facing each challenge pragmatically with an indomitable spirit. During a recent hospitalization, a group of medical students came to her room to take her medical history to which she quipped “How much time do you have?”. And she wasn’t kidding. 15 years of fighting battles is a long war, but she proved to be an apt historian and a strong soldier.

Kinsley will be remembered for many qualities: her inquisitive mind, her voracious love of reading, her creativity with photography, her great sense of style, her smile that lit up the room, her bright blue eyes, her dry, sometimes sarcastic, wit, her immeasurable passion for 4-legged creatures. She served on the Board of Directors for the Merit Pitbull Foundation and fostered more puppies than you can count on all 10 fingers and toes. Her long-time partner, Christian, came home one day to 13 puppies. She calmly assured him that this was a “temporary” arrangement. She had an infinite patience and devotion to protect “man’s best friend.”

Kinsley loved her 2-legged family as well, although their relationship prompted much more eye-rolling than the beloved “fur” babies. She was a devoted partner, daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, cousin, step-sister, and friend. She had practical advice and opinions for each of them and cherished each moment and memory shared.

On January 30, 2025, Kinsley Elizabeth James went to sleep and woke up standing at the Pearly Gates of Heaven. It was a glorious reunion with a host of family, her special friend Maura and too many dogs to count. Free, at last, of dialysis, of oxygen, of her body that had worked too hard, too long. What a day of rejoicing! While we mourn her loss, we celebrate her life. She lives forever in our hearts with memories of the love, indelibly etched in our souls.

“She lived, she loved, she laughed, she left. And the world will never be the same.” - James Joyce (adaptation)

Kinsley is survived by her parents, Judy Collins James and Elsie Clarence “Skip” James, III (Vicky); her long-time partner and caregiver extraordinaire, Christian Kaley; her brother, Trentt James (Amy); special nephews, EC and Ryder James; and step-siblings, Lindsey and Andrew.

A celebration of Kinsley’s life will be held at 2 pm Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Family will receive friends in the Robert F. Miller Center, adjacent to Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, following the service.

A special thank you to Triad Dialysis Center and the many doctors, nurses and staff at Atrium Health through the years. The recent ICU and Intermediate Care nurses and doctors made her feel safe and never gave up. Thank you for getting her home!

Memorials may be made to the Forsyth Humane Society,  4881 Country Club Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the James family.

Please click the following link to view the livestream: https://venues.vimeo.com/1704734025319