Obituaries
Obituary for James Spraggins
James Jasper Spraggins was born at 6 a.m., Monday, July 12, 1937 at 932 S. Lauderdale Street in Memphis, Tenn., at the home of his maternal grandparents, Isaac & Classie Jasper. James was born to the union of Ada Belle Jasper & James Walter Spraggins. While matriculating at Booker T. Washington High School, James was active on the boxing team, the Jokers Social Club and worked as a busboy in the Peabody Hotel Grand Ballroom where we sang with the Peabody Jubilee Singers. James went on to graduate from Booker T. Washington in 1954; after which he enrolled in LeMoyne-Owen College. James cut his college career short to enlist in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, serving on Far-East deployments attached to a U.S. Marine Corps Field Combat Unit. Upon his return, he eventually completed his education earning a B.S., two Master's degrees, an E.D.s. and hours towards a Doctoral degree. James was employed as one the first African American Laboratory Technologists in the City of Memphis. He started his career at E. H. Crump hospital, and retiring from The Regional Medical Center as the Lead Senior Medical Lab Tech. James served with honor in the Iraqi War/Desert Storm Conflict aboard the U.S. Navy Hospital Ship Mercy (T-AH-19), known as 'THE WILD THING' returning from the war as a decorated veteran. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman. James was a Christian and a lifelong member of Metropolitan Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. James was a charter member of the 100 Black Men of Memphis, a 32nd Degree Prince Hall Freemason and a Shriner in Moolah Shrine Temple #54 and served on the Board of Directors of the Davis YMCA. James leaves behind to mourn his loss, his wife of 51 years, Ruth W. Spraggins, a son, James A. Spraggins (Laschandra), a granddaughter, Mary-Isabella, two sisters, Anne Gibson (Walter), Toni Spraggins-Perkins and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and close family friends. A Celebration of Life will be held noon, May 3, 2014 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 767 Walker Ave., Memphis, Tenn., 38126. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent In Memorium to the Davis YMCA. Arrangements by Harold Ford Funeral Chapel, 1638 Sycamore View Rd., Memphis, TN 38134, Tel. (901) 379-0861.
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