Crysteline Sorrells was the first of four children born to the union of Jake Sorrells Jr. and Josephine Johnson Sorrells; on September 5, 1924, in Manchaca, Texas. 

Crysteline attended Austin public schools and graduated from L.C. Anderson High School in 1942.  She married Johnny E. James on October 9, 1942, in Ogden, Utah. They moved to Vallejo, California where Johnny was a Merchant Marine. To this union, four children were born: Carol, Johnny E. Jr, Clarence, and Patricia.

The family moved to Los Angeles in 1952 where Johnny Sr. was employed at Parks and Recreation, and Crysteline was a homemaker and a domestic worker. She was a meticulous housekeeper, an outstanding cook, and baker. She believed that all her children should know how to clean and cook, so she taught them, even the boys and later passed those talents along to her grandchildren. The family joined the Southwood Missionary Baptist Church in 1958 under the leadership of Pastor Roy Roberson. Crysteline loved music and used her beautiful soprano voice to sing in the Sanctuary Choir. She also worked in the Hospitality Ministry and Vacation Bible School.

Crysteline attended Southwest City College and graduated in 1976 with an Associates Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and began working for Los Angeles Unified School District in their Early Education Division, where she made a difference in many young lives.

Crysteline was a humble, soft-spoken, good-natured outgoing person who loved people. She was the backbone of her immediate family and a leader in her extended family of the Sorrell�s Family Reunion. She was a member of the (OLCAAA) Original L.C. Anderson Alumni Association, The Travelier�s Club, Friends for Fun Club, Chairperson of the Senior Center Bingo Group, Member of the Senior Center Advisory Committee; and a Volunteer of the City of Inglewood from whom she received several certificates of recognition for her participation.

Crysteline was preceded in death by her parents, Jake Sorrells, Jr., and Josephine Johnson Sorrells, husband, Johnny E. James, Sr., son, Clarence L. James, brothers: Saul V. Sorrells, Hilliard B. Sorrells, Luscious Henry Sorrells; and sister, Ruth S. Foster, grandson, Ather Malone III, great-grandson, Joshua Roberson, and great-granddaughter, Brittneeh Williams.

She leaves to cherish her memory; daughters, Carol A. Morrow, and Patricia J. Matthews , son, Johnny E. James (Jeanie); grandchildren: Crysteline �Crissy� Malone, LaVette Morrow, Lisa James, Karen James, Clarence James, Jr., Johnny James, and Jovan Matthews; great-grandchildren: Alexis Williams, Sade Williams, Ather Malone IV, DeMarco James-Gray, Elijah James-Godfrey, Madison James, and Mason James; great-great-grandchildren: Jayla, Arriya, Jaden, Kassadi, Aniyah Lee; sister-in-law, Rosie Sorrells, niece, LaZette S. (Derick) Kellum, nephews: Johnny M. James, and Collin Kellum; her friends at Osage Senior Villa, and a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.