Our Leadership

Porter Geneal (P.G.) Peeples, Sr. was born on October 29th, 1945, in Lynch, KY (Harlan County), to the late Roy Peeples Sr. and Carrie Lou Peeples (Conner), and passed away on April 28th, 2026, in Lexington, KY.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Wilma J. Peeples; son Porter G. Peeples Jr., BA, of Lexington, KY; daughter Dr. Cynthia N. Thomas, BS, BS, MS, PhD, of Lexington, KY; granddaughter Kelsey Stipp, BA, MS, MS (Doctoral pending) of Chicago, IL; his brothers Billy Joe (Vera) Peeples of Springfield, Ohio, Maceo (Gertrude) Peeples of Lexington, KY, and Walter E. (Wanda Jean) Peeples of Houston, TX; his sisters Clara Boyd-Williams of Springfield, Ohio, and Doris J. Bennett of Hempstead, NY; as well as a host of in-laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Peeples was preceded in death by three sisters, one brother, two nieces, two brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law. In addition to family, he is survived by many friends and colleagues.

Peeples received his early education at the Lynch Colored Public Schools, and upon graduating from the desegregated high school, he began his post-secondary education at a nearby community college in Cumberland, KY, where he earned an associate’s degree. In 1966, Peeples furthered his education at the University of Kentucky (UK), earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 1968. Peeples taught in the Fayette County Public School system while volunteering at the Urban League in 1969, and was later appointed Executive Director in 1972, a role that evolved into President/CEO of the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County, where he served for 54 years.

Under Peeples’ leadership, the Urban League focused on workforce development and created pathways for community members, including a computer literacy program in partnership with the Coach Tubby Smith Foundation.

Peeples championed causes for Kentucky’s underserved minority population. As a leader in these efforts, he led the creation of the Equity Council to track and report on educational outcomes in Fayette County Public Schools and chaired it for eight years. In 1981, the Urban League began its work in housing, rehabilitating four shotgun houses on Chestnut Street to sell to first-time homeowners. From those modest beginnings the efforts, under the umbrella of Fayette County Local Development Corporation, an affiliate of the Urban League, went on to invest more than $28 million in safe, sanitary, affordable housing. The effort branched out to include over 100 affordable rental units, with more currently under construction. It was work that gave Peeples great satisfaction. “It just did something for the unity of the family,” he said, “to own their own home.”

Peeples was appointed to the Kentucky Housing Corporation board and served as its vice-chair, remaining on the board at the time of his death. As one of the longest-serving Urban League heads, he worked with national leaders and knew people throughout the country, as well as Kentucky governors, mayors, and other officials. But he cautioned the many young people he mentored about the dangers of self-importance: “Be humble, respectful, take very seriously the responsibility [of your work], but don’t take yourself too seriously,” he said in a recent oral history interview. Additionally, he loved and was active in the Eastern Kentucky Social Club, a group of African Americans with roots in the coalfields of Eastern Kentucky.

The family requests that memorial donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Porter Geneal Peeples Sr. Fund at the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County, 148 Deweese St., Lexington, KY 40507-1921.