Memorial services for Celestia Kilpatrick James, age 99, of Piedmont will be Friday, November 23rd, 2012 at 2:30 PM at the Black Hills Funeral Home in Sturgis with Rev. Ed Coates officiating, burial will be at the Houghton Cemetery in Houghton, SD and Piedmont Cemetery in Piedmont, SD. Celestia passed away on Wednesday, November 21st, 2012 at the Sturgis Regional Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Northern Hills. Celestia was born February 28th, 1913 in Houghton, at the old house where her grandfather had homesteaded to parents Deece and Cora Kilpatrick. She attended Northern State Teachers College in 1931 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Black Hills State College in 1970. She married Wallace James May 28th, 1933 who preceded her in death March 31, 1996. She taught in rural schools and was also a librarian at Newell. After retiring from teaching she worked as a bookkeeper for many years. As a child Celestia loved helping her father on the farm. She loved to travel and in her later years made many car trips to California with her mother. She was an avid quilter and crocheter and was a member of the Happy 10 Sewing Club. She loved children and especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren and their children. Survivors include two sons, Jackie James, Piedmont and Lester James, LaMoure, ND; a daughter, Janet Terry, Rapid City; 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace James; a daughter, Patty Dillon; her parents; a brother, four sisters and a granddaughter.