Jimmie Dee Kooistra

Jimmie Dee Kooistra, age 95, of Little Rock, died on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. She was born February 9, 1930, in Malvern, to the late James Pryor and Linnie Staggs Pryor. Jimmie's father died when she was 9. Thereafter, she and her mother lived from place to place throughout Arkansas including Malvern, Hot Springs, and later Little Rock, her home for over 80 years.

As a child of the Great Depression, Jimmie did not complete formal education but later obtained her high school diploma as an adult. At 18, Jimmie met and then married John Kooistra, Jr. in 1948. They were married for 68 years until his death in 2016.

Jimmie was a voracious reader who read more books than one could count. Throughout her life Jimmie had a heart for the poor, neglected, and disenfranchised. This led her to work with the Mailbox Club, a ministry that supports children around the world. She was also a contributor and volunteer for the Little Rock Compassion Center.

Jimmie was one of the original members of Bible Study Fellowship of Little Rock. She led and served in this ministry for over 25 years. Studying the Bible at BSF was probably her greatest joy outside of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Jimmie was preceded in death by two sisters, Lucy Moore of Franklin, Tennessee and Glenna Kelly of Memphis, Tennessee.

Jimmie is survived by her son, John Kooistra, III and his wife, Martha Ann of Little Rock; a granddaughter, Ann Marie Gray (Alex) of Little Rock; a grandson, John Samuel Kooistra (Aurora) of Tucson, Arizona; four great-granddaughters, Ann Elizabeth Gray, Margaret Gray, and Vivian Gray of Little Rock and Olympia Kooistra of Tucson, Arizona; and nieces and nephew, Mary Butler (Steve) of Maumelle, Carolyn Riviere (Paul) of Woodstock, Georgia and Pat Kelly (Melissa) of Houston, Texas.

Jimmie was baptized a Baptist but spent her adult years at the Bible Church of Little Rock and later Covenant Presbyterian Church of Little Rock. She will be missed by family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Evangelical Alliance for Immigration Counseling (EAIS) 1415 Breckenridge Drive, Suite C, Little Rock, Arkansas 72227 or to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Parkway Village Chapel, 14300 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas, with the Rev. Steve Sanford and the Rev. Randy Brantley officiating. Burial will be private in Roselawn Memorial Park under the direction of Shinn Funeral Services.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Kooistra, III, Alex Gray, Samuel Kooistra, Ormond Peters, Steve Butler and Paul Riviere.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.