Atlantic Coast High School community mourns loss of beloved teacher

Jacksonville, FL — A beloved teacher at Atlantic Coast High School is being remembered as a big personality.  The school community is mourning Vivian James’ death. Her body was discovered inside her westside apartment on Saturday.  Police suspect foul play and said that she may have been dead for up to 48 hours.

"She was just a really cheery, fun-loving, upbeat kind of person," said senior Connor Davis. His mom, Melissa, said she received a phone call from the high school letting them know that Ms. James died.

“She was definitely a spitfire, I mean, she was a little lady with a lot of personality,” Melissa Davis said.

A post on the Atlantic Coast High School Parent Teacher Student Association’s Facebook account confirmed they lost one of their own.

JSO responded on Saturday morning to N. Glen Alan Ct. after a friend discovered a woman in her 40’s dead in her home.  Officers did not say how she died, only that they suspect foul play.

Teachers who spoke with Action News Jax Alicia Tarancon were too heartbroken to go on camera, but they said Ms. James was an amazing person who was brutally honest, helpful and gave the world’s best hugs. They’ve even started the hashtag #justicefor4msjames.

Atlantic Coast High School PTSA also said there would be grief counselors on campus next week to help students and faculty mourn the loss.