Lauryn Louise James

Lauryn Louise James, 31, of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on December 6, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Old First Orange Baptist Church in Orange. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.

Visitation will begin prior to the service at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Old First Orange Baptist Church in Orange.

She was born on May 30, 1994, in Beaumont, Texas, she was the daughter of Darwin James and Jacqui (Bennett) James. Lauryn was known for her strong spirit and resilience; she was truly a survivor and an angel to all who knew her. Lauryn had a deep love for her family. Her nieces and nephews affectionately called her “Aunt LaLa,” and she cherished every moment spent with them. In 2016, Lauryn graduated from Bridge City High School. She was a proud member of the Old First Orange Baptist Church, where she attended Sunday school every week. She loved reading, drawing, and cooking, with special memories made during family vacations. Halloween held a special place in her heart, and she adored her favorite movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas. A devoted pet owner, Lauryn had the sweetest bond with her dog, Woody. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those she loved and who loved her in return.

Lauryn leaves behind her father, Darwin James, and his wife, Jessie; her mother, Jacqui James; her grandmother, Mary Ann James; her brother, Dylan James, and his wife, Kayli; her sister, Kaitlyn McFarland, and her husband, Bryson; and her step-siblings, Alex Wei and Alisa "Wei Wei" Wei. She will be deeply missed by her niece and nephews, Makenna Smith, Wesson Smith, Kai McFarland, Dawsyn James, Daylen James, and Axel Warren. Lauryn is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as her caring neighbors, Meece and Gran Dauterive, Lexie Robertson, and Chase Dauterive, who she considered family.

Lauryn joins in eternal rest her grandparents, Lynwood Bolton James and Sharon Bennett; her stepfather, Mike Burnaman; and her great great aunt, Wesie Weber.

Serving as pallbearers will be Colton Abney, Colby Abney, Luke Goff, Matt Robertson, Bryson McFarland, and Dylan James.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Texas Children’s Hospital at https://give.texaschildrens.org/site/Donation.