James W. Napper

07/28/1936 - 01/05/2023

Obituary For James W. Napper

James Wilson Napper, Jr. 86, of Preston Rd., Martinsville departed this life Thursday, January 5, 2023. He was born July 28, 1936, in Virginia, the son of James Wilson Napper, Sr., and Christana Hairston Napper who preceded him in death.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-eight years, Nannie Mae Shelton Napper.

James received his primary and secondary education in the Henry County School System. He furthered his education by attending Johnson C. Smith University. James was an educator and Principal who touched the lives of many of his students during his thirty plus years in the Henry County Public School System. James was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and was a former member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.

Those left to cherish his memory include one sister, Larneal Napper Jones of Martinsville, VA; care giver/guardian, Sherine Wilson of Martinsville, VA; two sisters-in-law, Stephanie S. (Kermit) Hairston of Stone Mountain, GA, and Elizabeth Hairston of Martinsville, VA; one niece, Cassandra Jones (Lawrence) Strand of New Kent, VA; one nephew, Harold J. Napper, Jr. of Martinsville, VA; and a host of other relatives, and friends.

A visitation service will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. at the C.R.V. Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home with Pastor E. Leroy Valentine, Eulogist. Burial will follow at Carver Memorial Gardens, 1310 Carver Rd., Martinsville, VA. A public viewing will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Hairston Funeral Home between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. In accordance with the CDC, a face covering, and social distancing is required. Other times, the family will be receiving friends at the home, 3405 Preston Rd., Martinsville.

To view live streaming of the funeral service, go to Hairston Funeral Home live on Facebook.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hairston Funeral Home.