Maudester Eliza James was born on August 4, 1935, in Midway, Texas to Frank and Emily Byrd-Johnson. She spent the majority of her adult years in Huntsville, Texas.

Maudester was a faithful member of Northside Church of Christ, under the leadership of Bro. James Horace.

Maudester, known to mostly all who knew her as Eliza, was preceded in death by her parents; husband: James Roger James; children: Annette James and Venolen Sanders (A.K.A. Bean); brothers: Hudtie Johnson, Jake Johnson, Abe Johnson, George Johnson, Edgar Johnson, Julious Johnson and Olan Johnson; sisters: Feta McQuirter and Pinkie Archie.

Survivors: Grandchildren (that she raised as her own): Reshawn Gambrell; of Huntsville, Texas, Tasha Gambrell and Sheila Leonard (Antonio); of Houston, Texas; great-grandchildren: Krystain Leonard, Kendrick Leonard, Jacoby Gambrell, Ke'Ondre Leonard and Kayla Gambrell; sisters-in-law: Tanna Kay Johnson, Mertis Johnson; of Houston, Texas, Deborah Johnson and Hattie Mae Johnson; of Huntsville, Texas and Lois Pearl Doaks; of Shiro, Texas; brothers-in-law: Billy James; of Shiro, Texas and Henry James; of Huntsville, Texas