“Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” By Grace, through Faith in Jesus Christ, Jimmy Ray “Jimpa” Peoples, 93, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, has entered into the eternal presence of the Lord. He will surely be missed by his family and friends, but join us in rejoicing in his home-going. Jim departed this life on September 22, 2022 in Fort Smith. He was born December 11, 1928 in Hartshorne, Oklahoma.
Jim joined the U.S. Army in 1946 and was transferred to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. It was while he was stationed here in 1949 that he met LTC Norman Ferguson, Jr. who was the Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church (FBC) of Fort Smith and Chaplain to the troops at Fort Chaffee. Through Brother Norman’s ministry, Jim came to faith in Jesus Christ and met the love of his life, Ann L. Davis. Jim and Ann were married on December 4, 1949 at FBC by Brother Norman.
Jim has been a faithful and active member of FBC Fort Smith since 1949. He has served as teacher to Youth, RA’s leader, Boy Scouts leader, Little League baseball coach, deacon, choir member, prayer room member and greeter. During the past 73 years, he has had the joy of knowing and encouraging generations of families.
Jim attended Fort Smith Junior College (Westark/UAFS) and started his career in sales with Nabisco in 1953. In 1965, he sold insurance, then in 1966, he owned and published the Fort Smith “Today Magazine.” In 1969, he went to work for the Southwest Times Record in advertising sales and then in 1970, accepted the job as Sales Manager for “The Courier” for Crawford County in Van Buren. “The Courier” merged with “The Press Argus” in 1985 and Jim continued as Sales Manager until his retirement in 2001. Sales was his job but being out in the community, interacting with people, was his passion.
Jim was active in his community, serving with Rotary, Rodeo/Fair Board, Village Harbor Property Owners’ Association, Gospel Rescue Mission, River Church and various activities.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Ann L. Peoples, and daughter-in-law, Merry Ann Peoples.
He is survived by a daughter, Jane Ann Peoples of Van Buren, Arkansas; Son, Jimmy Ray “Rusty” Peoples and wife, Kim Peoples of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Grandson, Jimmy “Ray” Peoples III and wife, Abbi of Shawnee, Kansas; Great-grandsons, Graham and Owen Peoples of Shawnee, Kansas; Step-grandsons, Brandon Bolin and wife Jamie of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Derek Bolin and wife, Hayden of Plano, Texas; special friend, Gloria Law of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Brothers, Ronnie and Kenny Peoples of California; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be at Edwards Funeral Home and visitation with the family will be Monday, September 26, 5:00-7:00PM at Edwards Funeral Home. A celebration service will be Tuesday, September 27, at 1:00PM at First Baptist Church of Fort Smith with interment at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas at 2:00PM.
Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church Missions, 1400 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
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