Teresa Kay James-Tharp passed away Saturday morning at her home in Benton, AR after a long struggle with cancer. Teresa was born in Kennett, MO on April 28, 1950, to John and Woodie James where she grew up in Senath, Mo. At the age of 30, Teresa pursued an education in nursing from ASU in Jonesboro, commuting from Batesville, AR to Jonesboro, AR while raising three sons. After completion of an Associate Degree in Nursing from ASU, Teresa spent nearly thirty years working in the Baptist Health Care System as a Home Health Nurse. Teresa was instrumental in the care of others and developed a long following of patients across the central Arkansas region. Teresa was a member of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church where she was passionate about her church family and friends.
Teresa is preceded in death by her parents, John and Woodie James of Senath, Mo, and son Steven Holmes of Cummings, GA. She is survived by her husband Charles “Keith” Tharp of Benton, AR, John Michael Holmes and son Colton of Hornersville, Mo, Brad Tharp, wife Kristen and daughters Zoe and Maci of Benton, AR, Stephen Tharp, wife Sarah and daughters Sadie and Stevie of Benton, AR, Kevin Holmes, wife Ashley and daughters Kennedy and Kathryn of Jonesboro, AR, and granddaughters Candler Holmes of Jacksonville, FL, and Emma and Ellie Holmes of Cummings, GA. She is also survived by an older brother Charles James and wife Lynne of Columbia, MO, an older sister Linda Vandermause of Ausitn, TX, and a younger brother John James and wife Connie of Fernandina Beach, FL.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church with a visitation starting one hour prior at 1:00 PM.
