Reverend C.D. Peoples

The Rev. Clayton Dell (C.D.) Peoples, 83, of Fort Smith, arrived at his heavenly home into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 , after a lengthy illness. He was born on December 7, 1929 , to Odis and Ruth Been Peoples in Greenwood , Arkansas . He was a graduate of Greenwood High School , where he was an outstanding quarterback for the Greenwood Bulldogs and a standout on the basketball team as well. C.D. also graduated from State Teachers College in Conway , and Southwestern Theological Seminary in Dallas with a degree in Bible Divinity. He worked with the State Mission Board in Southern Arkansas for the Arkansas Baptist Convention. He pastored Brumley Chapel Baptist in Conway , First Baptist Church Lavaca, Danieldale Baptist Church in Dallas , TX , and Bluff Avenue Baptist Church in Ft. Smith . He was a member and continued teaching a Bible class at Bluff Ave. for another 30 years after he retired from pastoring. He served as interim pastor for ten different churches in the area and also helped churches in Arkansas , Oklahoma , and Missouri with building programs during these years. In 1978, he opened Carpet Cabin and was there until his retirement in 1998. C.D. was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Southside Rebels, Dallas Cowboys, and St. Louis Cardinals. There was nothing that he loved more than helping people in any and every way he could. He always said that God gave him a farm in Cameron , OK , where he raised black angus cattle. He used the proceeds from the sale of his cows to build four churches in the Philippines and provide them with pastors. There is a church named in his honor (The Peoples Church) on the island of Binagasbasan. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Odis Peoples Jr. C.D. is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Bonnie Elmore Peoples, a daughter, Gina Driscoll of Ft. Smith, son and wife, M.D. and Karen Peoples of Greenwood, son and wife, Steve and Sandy Peoples of Ft. Smith , a brother and wife, Nual & Pat Peoples of Garrettsville, OH, sister, Effie Nell Plunkett of Ft. Smith, sister and husband, Helen and Bob Izell of Hackett, and sister, Dean Roffine of Greenwood. He also leaves behind 7 grandchildren, Brent Peoples, Stacey Peoples Grandstaff, Angela Peoples Sawyer, Josh Driscoll, Natalie Driscoll, Amy Driscoll, Katie Driscoll, 3 step-grandchildren, Beth Mackivitch of Virginia, Leslie James of Minnesota, and Jonathan Stout of Ft. Smith, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He was affectionately known to all of grandchildren as Papa Sonnie. C.D. also leaves behind a host of dear family and friends. There will be a private family burial at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens immediately followed by a Celebration of Life Service under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home at First Baptist Church , 1400 Grand Avenue , Ft. Smith , on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 10:00 AM . The family will visit with friends at Edwards Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2013. A very special thank you goes to C.D.'s caregivers, Tia Elwood , Barbara Moore, and Melissa Haney, Christian Companion Senior Care, Gentiva Home Health, and Mercy Hospice. The family is so thankful for the wonderful and loving care he received from them. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Bluff Avenue Baptist Church , 2300 Bluff Ave , Ft. Smith , AR 72901 , Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 3223 Old Greenwood, Ft. Smith, AR 72903, or Jimmy and Melinda Green Philippine Missions, 709 Fayetteville Rd, Van Buren AR 72956. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com