James Freeman

James "Jim" Edward Freeman, of Arkadelphia, passed away Oct. 22, 2017. He was 55 years old. Jim was born July 9, 1962 in Arkadelphia. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University where he met his wife-to-be Stacy. He later earned a master's degree in social work from Grambling State University in Louisiana.

Jim loved helping others as evident by his early career as a middle school and high school teacher, and later as a social worker. He felt his calling was to help people overcome their personal struggles and loved working with his clients at the Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden where he was a substance abuse therapist.

Jim was a member of Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia. He and his family recently moved to Glenwood where he loved to sit on his back porch and look at the Caddo river. He loved being a papaw, decorating for Christmas, eating a good steak, floating the river and laughing with friends. Above all, his greatest joy was spending time with his family.

Jim is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ernie B. and Lola Freeman and Charlie and Sophia Loy all of Arkadelphia; as well a brother-in-law, U. W. Mullins of Searcy.

Survivors include his wife Stacy Simmons Freeman, two children, Olivia and Walter Freeman and one grandchild, Ava Freeman, all of Arkadelphia. He is also survived by his mother, Patricia Malcom (Jerry) of Hope, and his father, James Ernie Freeman (Diane) of Arkadelphia; a sister, Jennifer Freeman Thompson (Curt) of Little Rock; a brother, Tim Freeman (Jeri) of Hope and his children, Tonya, Danielle, Shea, Caitlin and Tyler, and eight grandchildren. He was also very close to his in-laws, Betty and Walter Ray Simmons of DeWitt; his wife's sister Lisa Simmons Mullins of Searcy and her daughters Laura Beth Laughter and Lindsey Mullins Kelley and two grandchildren.


Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m., at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral home in Arkadelphia.


The funeral is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 25th at Berry Chapel at Ouachita Baptist University. Brother Scott Jackson will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jim's life.


In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jim's name to Fellowship Church of Arkadelphia, 2401 Pine St., Arkadelphia, AR 71923.