Rev. James Dorphis Smithson

Service: 10 a.m. Monday, April 18, at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison, with burial at Love Cemetery, St. Joe; Visitation: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at the funeral home.

The Rev. James Dorphis Smithson, of Harrison, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 14 (2016) at his home, at the age of 83.

The son of Jack and Ola (Francis) Smithson was born Sept. 27, 1932, at Dongola. He lived in Searcy and Boone County most of his life and worked many years at Edwards Grocery as a meat cutter until his retirement. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy.

He was a retired minister of St. Joe Baptist Church and was still actively preaching at Morning Star Baptist Church and Dongola Community Church as well as other local churches. He loved gardening, flowers and working in his yard. He also enjoyed taking people fruit and baking brownies and cookies and sharing his talent with everyone. James loved serving people and was a perfect example of a true servant's heart.

He ministered everywhere he went, especially Wal-Mart, where he shared his love of the Lord every day. He was a fisher of men, always sharing God's word and witnessing to people.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ola Smithson; his wife, Peggy Smithson; two brothers, Darwin Smithson and Jim Smithson; and his sister, Bobbie Jean Blair.

He is survived by his brother, Jackie Smithson and wife Sandra, of Marshall; his mother-in-law, Faye Scott, of Harrison; his brother-in-law, Jack Scott, of Ozark; three sisters-in-law, Wilma Lee Smithson, of Dongola, Joann Lane, of Wichita, Kansas, and Lana Kay Jackson and husband Ron, of Boise, Idaho; eight nieces, Kayla Smithson, Erica Smithson, Janie Pruitt and husband Joey, Jeannie Tilley and husband Greg, Kathy Adams, Brenda Rogers and husband Gary, Kim Ragland, and Kristie Ragland and husband Randy; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends who loved him and will miss him dearly.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 18, at Coffman Chapel in Harrison, with the Rev. Bruce Smithson officiating. Burial will follow at Love Cemetery in St. Joe.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison.

Pallbearers are Steve Padilla, Charles McDaniel, Joey Pruitt, Greg Tilley, Johnny Hinchey and Johnny Neel.

Honorary pallbearers are Gary Rogers, Chris Loggins, Randy Ragland, Wal-Mart buddies and nursing home friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Ozark Humane Society, 5147 Rock Springs Road, Harrison, AR 72601 or to Dongola Community Church, c/o Paula Smith, 123 Hollow Road, St. Joe, AR 72675.

Online condolences may be left at coffmanfh.com .