Chloa “Lurlene” Hanchett James passed away the evening of Sept. 13, 2026, surrounded by loving family and friends.
Lurlene was born on Aug. 25, 1940, to Ray Monroe and Vaudene Geiger Hanchett in Lordsburg, N.M. She spent her first 15 years in Duncan, enjoying a wonderful childhood. She later moved to Albuquerque, N.M., living with her brother Jimmy and his wife, Neva Bell, while finishing high school.
After graduation, Lurlene moved to Mesa, working at the Mesa Theatre. It was there that she met a handsome Air Force man who worked as an usher. Lurlene made and sold popcorn at the theatre and the two made googly eyes at each other through the popcorn machine. She eventually married that handsome, googly-eyed man, Byrns Allen “BA” James, on May 8, 1959.
Together, they had one daughter, Karen Nell James (Mosier). On May 30, 1992, Lurlene, BA and Karen were sealed as a family in the Mesa Arizona Temple.
Lurlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, BA James; her parents, Ray Monroe Hanchett and Vaudene Geiger Hanchett; and 12 siblings.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Don) Mosier; siblings, Chuck Hanchett and Raydene Cluff; grandchildren, Andon (Jori) Mosier, Shandi Larsen, DJ (Sean) Mosier-Griffiths, Tawni (JD) Parker, and Tori (Todd) Golding; great-grandchildren, Jaden, Troy and Brolan Mosier, Bryan (Natalyn), Tayela, Kambria, Lanaya and Tegan Larsen, Lydia, Jack and James Parker, Emma, Stratton, Meridyan and Bandet Golding; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Lurlene’s love extended far beyond her own family. She had a special place in her heart for the children around town who called her Grandma, loving them as her own.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Westover Avenue in Joseph City. Interment will follow at the Joseph City Cemetery.
