Henry Sterling "Sonny" Peoples, Jr.

Henderson-Henry Sterling Peoples, Jr, (US Army, Lt Colonel Ret), 73, a resident of Coleman Place, died Sunday, December 19, 2021 at his home. He was the son of the late Henry Sterling Peoples and Marie Weaver Peoples. Henry also known as Sonny, was born on February 9,1948 in Henderson during a record breaking 18 inch snowfall. He was an Army Brat (Born Raised And Transferred), growing up in Japan, Germany, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Alaska. He attended school on military installations around the world and graduated from Henderson High School in 1966 while his dad was serving with the Corp of Engineers at Kerr Lake. After high school, he graduated from Campbell University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1971, Boston University with a Master of Science in Business Administration in 1980, and from Fayetteville State University a Master of Arts in Education in 1997. He attended Officer’s Candidate School at Ft Benning GA in 1972 graduating a Second Lieutenant and finance officer in the US Army, beginning a 20 year career, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His duty stations included bases throughout the Southeastern US, Indiana, and Germany. He served on the Inspector General’s staff at the Pentagon and at Ft. Bragg he was the Battalion Commander Finance and Accounting Officer for the 18th Airborne Divisions including the 82nd Airborne and 126th Finance Airborne Divisions. He was selected to attend the Staff Command College, received the Meritorious Service Metal with 5 Oak LeafClusters, and earned the Army Superior Unit Award (Desert Shield/Storm) during his career. After retiring from the US Army, he owned a real estate brokerage service, taught as an adjunct professor at Methodist College and Fayetteville Technical Community College. In 2004 he returned to the federal government to work in budget management until 2016 when he chose retirement permanently and moved back to Henderson. Until his brief but valiant battle with cancer, Henry had a keen appreciation for nature whether playing golf, hiking, or indulging his passion for landscaping while working in his yard to create beautiful gardens and a lush lawn. He excelled in entertaining and designing his comfortable welcoming home. He was meticulous regardless of the activity. He loved to share his opinions and was a lifelong learner. He was persistent and determined; and like Calvin Coolidge, believed these traits were more important than talent, genius, or education. “Press On” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race, was his mantra. And he did. In addition to his devoted wife Aisulu Seidesimbaeva Peoples of the home, Henry is survived by his three children, Dana Marie Peoples of Woodbridge VA, Scott Edward Peoples of Oakton VA, and Sarah Louise Freeman of Leesburg VA; four grandchildren, Katherine Elizabeth McLain, William Gregory Freeman, Josephine Marie Freeman, and Melody May Peoples. He is also survived by his siblings, Diane Finch (Jeff), Randy Peoples (Cheri), David Peoples, and Joan Dorsey (Donnie) all of Henderson; four nieces and two nephews. A memorial service and celebration of his life is being planned for spring. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity or to: Heartland Hospice Care, 4505 Falls of the Neuse Rd., Suite 650, Raleigh NC 27609, 919-877-9959.