Peggy Louise James

In the Beginning Kind, sweet-spirited, and family-oriented, Peggy James, the only child of Carrie and Ernest Davis was born on November 25, 1932, in Greenwood, South Carolina. As a baby, Peggy and her family moved to Cincinnati, where Peggy attended the prestigious Walnut Hills High School. 

Growing Into Purpose: Intelligent and focused on making a difference, Peggy excelled in school. She attended Bennett College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1954.  After her graduation, she worked in the Cleveland Public School System as an Elementary School Educator.  During this time, she met and married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) James on August 1, 1959, and they remained married until Bob’s passing in 2004.   Peggy continued her education and graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 1961 with a Master’s in Elementary Education.  Peggy’s dedication to education continued as a Life Member of the Ohio Retired Teacher’s Association.

The Community and Family She Served: Peggy and Bob settled down in Shaker Heights, Ohio where they raised their two children, Robert Perry and Kimberly Ann.  Peggy loved her family and volunteering in the community.  She joined Jack and Jill of America, Inc. so Robert and Kimberly could be exposed to leadership development activities and philanthropy.   Robert’s favorite memory was a time when Peggy dropped him off at a golf tournament.  Robert assumed Peggy had left but when he turned around, Peggy was watching him warm up and gave her nod of approval. Kimberly recalls when she was a little girl how she came home excited about seeing a flyer for free kittens in the neighborhood.  Peggy investigated with Kimberly, and they came home with Samantha, who was welcomed into the family.

Peggy was initiated into the Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1988 and was a dedicated member who served on various committees and supported numerous chapter fundraisers. She had the distinct honor of pinning her daughter Kimberly when she was initiated in the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Howard University and this created an unyielding bond between mother and daughter.  She also supported Bob’s participation in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. as an active member of The Alpha Wives. 

The James Family attended church at Mount Zion Congregational United Church of Christ for many years.  And for a few years, Peggy attended Olivet Baptist Church where she volunteered in a reading program for children.

Later Years and Legacy: The James’ traveled as a family, and after the children left home, her travels continued, including a trip to the Black Hills of SD. She loved to read and learn about history and Peggy enjoyed all forms of art, crafts, and music.  She listened to all music genres, such as jazz, country, opera, symphony, and musicals and she volunteered for the Cleveland Museum of Art and worked to highlight African American artists. Few people know, Peggy enjoyed painting and participating in Zumba classes.

In her later years, Peggy moved to Houston, TX to be near her daughter.  Peggy is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Robert James.  She leaves her son, Robert P. James, and daughter, Dr. Kimberly A. James, and cousins Diane Briggs Bacon and Robert Briggs II to mourn her passing.

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