James T. Pepper

James Thurman Pepper, age 94, of Trussville, Alabama passed away on December 19, 2024. Born on a farm in “God’s Country” of Taft, Tennessee on April 3, 1930, to the late JC and Odell (Baker) Pepper. Growing up in Tennessee, James developed a strong work ethic and love for quail hunting, bird dogs, farm life, and gardening. He moved to Birmingham in the late 1950s and was employed as Director of Meat Operations for Liberty Supermarkets. He believed strongly in hard work and the integrity of your word and taught these values to everyone around him. In the 1980s, James started his own company, P&P Fixtures, and continued to work into his late 80s. 

James married his wife Glenna on the 13th of May 1950. Through the years they were blessed with four children, eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. After Glenna went home to be with the Lord in 2008, he was “lucky enough that the Lord blessed him not once but twice” with friendship and companionship with a special friend, Joyce White. There were few things more important to James than his family, his faith, and his thankfulness for the country we live in. He often thanked God for the “family that we have” and the “freedoms we enjoy”. He expressed that we are "blessed people" to live in a free country and always included gratitude for that freedom in his prayers. He also thanked God for the precious times we shared together. He was a man large in stature, boasting strength and so much grit, but he greeted his grandbabies with a joyful “Hey dahlin’!” and the warmest of hugs and kisses. He was a longtime servant of the Lord Jesus and the Church, serving as an elder for many years at Center Point Church of Christ. He was instrumental in the merger of several churches resulting in the congregation of Deerfoot Church of Christ, where he was a member.

 James is predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Glenna Fay (Maddox) Pepper and brothers, Clayton Pepper and Bobby Pepper. He is survived by his children Vallarie (Ray) Tate, James Jr (Denise) Pepper, Derrell (Doreen) Pepper, and Michele (Adam) Kelly. His grandchildren include Trey (Kari) Tate, Erin (Todd) Scott, Amber (Woody) Allcorn, Christy (Brian) Johnson, Ryan (DeeAnn) Gunnells, Michael (Hunter) Gunnells, Dr. Linnea Pepper (preceded in death by her husband Brandon Watson), and Medora (Chris) Gaddes. He was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren and survived by special friend, Joyce White. 

A service will be held on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, located at 1592 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, AL 35235 (www.jmgardens.com). Visitation begins at 11:00 a.m., with the service starting at 12:00 p.m., followed by a graveside service.