A Visitation for Family and Friends for Erna will be held Friday, July 12, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 3770 Highway 431 North, Phenix City, Alabama 36867. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM, 3770 Highway 431 North, Phenix City, Alabama 36867. An interment will follow at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, 553 Hwy 165, Fort Mitchell, Alabama 36856.
Erna was born March 18, 1953 in Augsburg, Germany. She retired after devoting 35 years of service to AFLAC in Columbus, Georgia. She loved travel, visit her grandchildren, and work in her yard.
Survivors include her husband; Crawford Lee James; daughter, Stefanie Kosek; sons, Reginald James (Shanae) and Marcus James (Lorella); grandchildren, Kenzie Kosek, Christopher Sigler (Lauren), and Tening Grossi; great grandchild, Maeve Sigler and her brothers, Richard Miller, and Helmut Miller.
"Oma,
My heart is breaking now that you’re gone.
But I know you would want me to stay strong.
As I sit here and reflect, tears are streaming down my face.
Thinking of my time with you, those memories will never be erased.
From cooking with you and making my favorite grits, to riding around on the four wheelers.
Those were my favorite trips.
One of my fondest memories with you is feeding the ducks.
Watching them race up the hill as we call “Duck, duck, duck, duck, duck.”
More of my favorite memories include feeding the horses and grooming the goats.
Sneaking Toby into your kitchen and fishing in your lake on the little row boat.
One thing that will always make me laugh is when you would give us ice cream scoops.
And how much you hated when Christopher and I turned it into ice cream soup.
Although losing you is tearing me apart.
Your love and memories will live forever in my heart.
Thank you for your endless support and generosity.
It never went unnoticed; I will always admire your tenacity.
I am forever grateful for the time I got to spend with you.
Just remember, Oma. I will always love you."
