Mr. James Peoples, Jr., 71, known as "Jitty Bug or J.P.," was born on February 23, 1947 in Hampton, VA to Mary E. Peoples Smith and Charles S. Smith.  He transitioned on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Wake Forest Baptist Health.

James spent his life in Winston-Salem, NC and he was educated in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System.  He attended Winston-Salem State University where he received a degree in Business Education.  Upon graduation, he taught school at North Elementary until joining the United States Navy where he served many years.  Upon finishing the Navy, he later moved to Cleveland, OH where his occupation was a City Inspector for many years until his retirement.  Later on he moved back to Winston-Salem, NC until his death.  James was kind and generous and helped anyone.  He loved his family and music.  He was sociable, free-spirited, and full of life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Gertrude Evans; two brothers, Hiawatha Peoples and Don Charles Smith; one sister, Brenda C. Miller; and one nephew, Rodney T. Peoples.

James was a loving brother and uncle and is survived by his three sisters, Doris Peoples Hairston, Elizabeth (Ronald) Hamilton, and Mary M. Smith all of the city; three nieces, Rhonda Faye Hairston and Keia Smith both of the city, and Rosalyn (Jeffery) Squirewell of Charlotte, NC; five nephews, Reginald Hairston, Roderick Hairston, Oscar (Deborah) Strange, and Haiwatha Alexander all of the city, and John (Tonya) Miller, III of Matthews, NC; two great-nephews;  many great-great-nieces and nephews; two special friends, Nancy Walker and Eugene Williams; a very devoted niece and caretaker, Rhonda Faye Hairston; and a host of many other cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Friday, May 18, 2018 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC.  The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon on Friday at the Chapel.