Mr. James Ellis White was born in Pageland, South Carolina, on September 30, 1956, to Peggy and James White. He was the oldest of nine.

He attended Forest Hills High School in Union County and graduated in 1975. James enlisted in the United States Army in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he served with the 82nd Airborne. He was a paratrooper and an infantryman. He visited many places, including Korea and Saudi Arabia.

In 1982, James married Sylvia Hardy in Arlington, Virginia, and they had three children: James White II (1983), Youree White (1987), and Naria White-Whittaker (1995).

James retired from the military in 1995 at Fort Bragg, then settled in Goldsboro, North Carolina, until 2020. Mr. White retired as a Staff Sergeant with numerous awards and recognitions, including the ‘Army Commendation Medal’, ‘Army Achievement Medal’, ‘Senior Parachutist’, and more. Most of his veteran friends stated that James was “one heck of a soldier” or “he made soldiering look easy.”

After his honorable discharge from the military, James worked as a welder for many years before retiring.

James White (TunaBaby) was known for his sense of humor and his knowledge of many things. He loved collecting military memorabilia and spending time with his grandkids (Jade, Abigail, Exiquio, and Little James). He would often share his memories with his children and his grandchildren about growing up in Pageland and how “he was the only black kid with a skateboard.” He enjoyed watching western movies, listening to classic rock bands, and looking at and learning about American and foreign cars.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Peggy and James White; his sister, Cynthia White; his niece, Cindy White; and his brother, Gary White.

He leaves behind his wife, Sylvia White; his children, James Ellis White II (Michelle White), Youree Sigourney White, and Naria Jamilla White-Whittaker (Bradley Whittaker); his grandchildren; Jade White, Abigail ‘Abby’ White, Exiquio White, and Jame ‘Little James’ White, and his siblings, Maxine White, Linda Bonaparte, Patricia White, and Lisa White; and his brothers, Patrick White and Ronnie White. Many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends, too.

The Homegoing Services will be on Sunday, June 14, 2026, 1:00pm, Smith's Memorial Chapel, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina.