Mary Ouida York James, of Empire, died April 4, 2006, at Walker Baptist Medical Center. She was a graduate of the class of 1938 and married classmate Mack James. She was a member of Sumiton United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mack James; parents, Jessie and Rilla York; sister, Nora Sellers and brothers A.B., Jack, Calvin and Paul York. She is survived by her son, Ronny James and his wife Patsy; granddaughter, Jayna Lacy and her husband Drew; stepdaughter, Loretta James; step-grandchildren John Smith, Dan Smith, Lois and Daniel and Clara Anderson and family.
Ouida married classmate Mack James, they lived in the house Mack’s grandfather, William Mckinley Drummond, built around 1875 located off Empire Road between Sumiton and Empire. Mr. Drummond sold land to or gave rights of passage to the railroad. A switch was located at one corner of the property – leading to the area being called Drummond Switch.