James Perry Lewis , affectionately known by "JP" was born on October 18, 1928, (the eldest of eight) to the late Samuel Lee and Annie Mae Johnson-Lewis in Caroline County, Virginia.  He departed this life on May 30, 2023.

James was baptized at an early age and joined Shiloh Baptist Church Bowling Green, Caroline County, VA.  The family moved to Spotsylvania County, VA in 1942.  James started attending services at Mount Hope Baptist Church, Spotsylvania County, VA and later under the direction of Dr. Raymond A. Bell, Jr., Pastor in 2001.

He attended Walker-Grant (WG) school in Fredericksburg, VA (joined WG's first track team 'The Fast Track' in 1945) and graduated with his Class of 1946.  Soon after graduation, he joined the U.S. Army; serving in Fukuoka, JAPAN 1947; Gifu JAPAN 1948 and received his Honorable Discharge in 1949.  After returning home from the military, he went to worked for FMC Plant in Fredericksburg, VA.  Later in 1950 he and his family moved to New Haven, CT.  In 1962 he and family returned to Fredericksburg, VA.  James accepted the position as a Courier for the Marine Corps Development & Education Command, Quantico, VA, and retired in 1988.  After retiring from Quantico, he accepted a part-time job as Parking Attendant for National Bank (now PNC), Fredericksburg, VA and retired in 2001.

James was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys and enjoyed spending time with his siblings, who met together after church on Sundays enjoying dinner and sharing childhood memories with his siblings and the younger generations.

James was preceded in death by daughter, Pamela L. Lewis; only son, Veron McQuin Lewis; first born grandson, Michael Derrick Saunders; three brothers, Samuel L. Lewis, Jr; Chester R. Lewis, Sr., and Aubrey G. Lewis; four sisters, Cora Lewis Johnson, Margaret Lewis Brooks, and Deloris Lewis Coleman.

James married the late Juliette Ferguson, of Fredericksburg, VA and to this union four children were born.  He later married the late Ruth Ashton, of King George, VA.

James leaves to cherish his memories, devoted daughters, Sandra Lewis Saunders (James), and Rhonda Lewis Jernigan (Marcellus Jr.) both of Spotsylvania County, VA; seven grandchildren, Maurice (LeVar) and Jermaine Saunders of Fredericksburg VA; Angela Lewis and Verron Lewis (Deloris) of Decatur, GA; Marcellus Jernigan, III (Jennifer), MaRonda Jernigan, and Christina Brown (Kevin) all of Fredericksburg, VA; six great-grandchildren, Michael, Cameron, Charlotte, Nevaeh, Mecca and A'Nyla; step-son, Marlo Lewis; step-daughter, Stacie Ashton-Anderson; step-granddaughters, Danielle Ashton Johnson and Mikayla Ashton; step-grandson Bryan Frye, Jr.; four additional step-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, James Johnson of Kettering, MD, and John E. Coleman of Fredericksburg, VA; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Lewis of Largo, MD, and Josephine Brown of Sealton, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

A viewing will be held at Mount Hope Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, VA, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. The interment will be held at Quantico National Cemetery on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 10:30 AM.