James R. "Jimmy" Meeks

James R. “Jimmy” Meeks, 82, of Hamburg, died Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Audrey’s Special Home in Hamburg. Mr. Meeks was a native of Crossett and a resident of the Milo Community outside of Hamburg for all of his life. He was a 1958 graduate of Fountain Hill High School and a member of the Mount Pleasant Free Will Baptist Church.  Mr. Meeks began farming in 1957 and was most proud of raising cattle and hogs. He was on the Fountain Hill School Board for over 20 years and served as a Chairman for the Farm Service Agency of Ashley County for 20 years. In 2014, Mr. Meeks and his family were voted the Ashley County Farm Family of the Year. When he was not farming, he enjoyed hunting and “hanging out” at the Pine Hill Grocery Store.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is preceded in death by his first wife of 43 years, Edith Craig Meeks in 2003 and his parents, Jim Ashley and Helen Pierce Meeks.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Annette Sawyer Pennington Meeks of Monticello; a son, James Robert Meeks, Jr. and wife, Teresa; two daughters, Carol Meeks Burgess and husband, Jim, and Amy Meeks Walton and husband, John, all of Hamburg; a brother, Randall Meeks and wife, Kitty, of Crossett; two sisters, Charlotte Rush and husband, Bob, of Crossett and Linda Richardson and husband, John, of Hamburg; a step-daughter, Stephanie Kibodeaux and husband, Steven; a step-son, Steven Pennington, all of Monticello; three grandchildren, Shannon Meeks Fox and husband, John, James Robert Meeks, III and wife, Ashley and Nicholas Craig Meeks; four step-grandchildren, Seth Sizemore, Sidney Sizemore, Hannah Lamb and Kaitlyn Pennington; four great-grandchildren, Xander Fox, Ezekiel Fox, Zoe Fox and Obadiah Fox; two step-great-grandchildren, Charleigh Kelley and Kase Lamb and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are 3 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Mount Pleasant Free Will Baptist Church with Bro. Keith Boseman officiating. Burial will be in the Egypt Cemetery. Pallbearers are his nephews, Pete Meeks, Shawn Meeks, Blake Meeks, Scotty Richardson, Johnny Richardson, Reagan Rush, Reuben Rush, Bobby Rush, Kevin Craig, Steven Craig, Greg Kelley, and Phil Kelley. Honorary pallbearers are Wendell Moffatt, Martin Franco, Juan Morales, Reuben Morales, and Paulino Osornio. Memorials may be made to the Mount Pleasant Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, 308 Ashley Road 95, Hamburg, AR  71646. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice Home Care and the staff at Audrey’s Special Home, Michaila, Trisha, Brandy, Melissa, James, Jeanette, Ashley, Emily and Arianna for all of the love and care shown to Mr. Meeks.  

Visitation will be 6 – 8 p.m., Friday at the church.