James Spruill "Jabbo" was born April 11, 1946 in Martin County to the late Claude and Irene Spruill.  He passed peacefully at the PAM Specialty Hospital in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

James was employed by the Hunts Points Industrial Produce Market located in Bronx, NY until he retired in 2013. After his retirement he relocated to South Carolina where he resided with his granddaughter, Phylecia Spruill.  He later relocated back home to Hobgood, North Carolina.  There are so many who shared the joys of his knowledge, upbeat spirit and generosity and they will forever treasure those precious memories of fishing and traveling with him, but most of all how loving, kind and well-dressed he was.  James's departure comes with a deep wound, and it is gravely felt by his entire family and countless others who loved him deeply in his wide-network of community.

James was proceeded in death by his parents, Claude and Irene Spruill, his wife, Eartha Lee Spruill, son, Anthony Spruill, two brothers, Tommy Spruill Sr. and Johnny O. Spruill and two sisters, Martha Alexander and Florine Spruill.

Those left to cherish his fond memories are his loving grand-daughter, Phylecia L. Spruill, his daughter Natasha (Jean) Laurent, his special daughter-in-law, Felicia Gaddist, his great grandchild, Jayceon Anthony Ellington, one brother, June Spruill, his special niece, Patricia Alexander Bond,  his special nephew, Jesse Alexander Bond, his in-laws, Jannie Spruill, Annie (Vernon) Cooper, Deloris (Lawrence) Sweatman, Moses (Virginia) Brown Jr., Ida (Arthur) Meeks, and Sam Alexander, loving aunts, a close-knit of nieces, nephews as well as a host of cousins and friends.