James Audley Pepper was born in Wartrace, TN on February 20, 1942. James was the fifth of seven children of the late Charlie Levoid Pepper and Barbara Elizabeth Singleton Pepper. He entered into eternal rest on January 15, 2016 after an extended illness.
James graduated from high school in Shelbyville, TN before matriculating at Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN) and University of Louisville (Louisville, KY) before earning his BS Degree at Central State University in Xenia, Ohio and a Master’s Degree at Tennessee State University.
After serving two years in the U.S. Army he worked as a counselor and landscaper. In addition to his work he enjoyed drawing, writing and TRAVELING. He was credited with penning the lyrics for a James Brown record. He could also be seen on Jefferson Street selling “The Final Call”.
He leaves to cherish his memories wife, Coquese Pepper; daughter, Shameka (Hollis) Harbison; sons, Sunquet Pepper and Jarois Venable; sisters, Bettye P Campbell of Gary Indiana, Nancy L (Robert) Nelson of Vandalia, Ohio, Ruby G Miller of Chicago, Illinois, Ruth (Levy) Bridges, of O’Fallon, Illinois; brother, C. Maurice Pepper, Na of Nashville, TN; grandchildren, D’Anthony Spence, Dominick Jones, Jr., D’Wayne Venable, Lyneesya G. Wilson, Day’Vion Venable, Precious Stevenson, Deja Pepper, T’Asia Venable, Jamaro Venable, DeeNaysha Venable, and Nasir Pepper; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins who he cared dearly for as well.