James Rakes

James Dorsey Rakes, 82, passed away January 20, 2014.

Although he was a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army for four years throughout the Korean War, James' kind-heartedness, jovial spirit, and serving nature were his true natural qualities and those most remembered by family and friends. After serving his country, James managed an OTASCO store for 25 years, retired, and then bought his own OTASCO associate store in Beebe, AR, which he and his wife owned for 25 years. His time in the small community instilled in him a need to serve Beebe further through his membership with the Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He also acted as Chairman of the Board of the Beebe Housing Authority and member of the First Security Bank's Board of Directors. Branson, MO, became a second home to James after his second retirement, and he volunteered alongside his wife at the Skaggs Memorial Hospital, where they donated several thousand hours of volunteer time.

James and his wife, Jean, were married for 64 years, finished each other's sentences, knew what the other was thinking, and often prompted the other's stories or memories with the mention of a single word. Their relationship started with some contempt over local high school baseball: Jean knew James as "that Rakes catcher" for Centerton that she did not like, as she was an avid fan of the Cave Springs team. Somewhere along the line, that sports rivalry turned into a lifelong love for each other. And their relationship was truly lifelonga�"less than three months after Jean passed away, James followed her home.

Mr. Rakes was joyously welcomed to heaven by his wife, Jean Rakes; parents, Virgil and Lillian Rakes; brother, Gary Rakes; and daughter-in-law, Joyce Rakes.

He lives in the hearts of those he left here on earth: his sons, James Michael "Mike" Rakes of Greenwood, SC, and Stephen Dorsey Rakes (Sherry) of North Little Rock, AR; sisters, Carolyn Rakes of Taylors, SC, and Janet Jackson (David) of Stark, FL; sister-in-law, Brenda Rakes of Claremont, GA; grandchildren, Spencer Rakes (Carie) of South Lake, TX, Sam Rakes (Laura) of Little Rock, AR, and Matt Rakes (Brandy) of North Little Rock, AR; and great grandchildren, Will, Ashley, Oliver, and Dexter Rakes.

Visitation will be held at Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe, AR, on Friday, January 24, 2014, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Rakes will be celebrated and cherished together in a joint memorial service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Beebe First United Methodist Church.
Arrangements by Westbrook, a Smith Family Funeral Home.