Jimmie Ray Ford

Brother Jimmie Ray Ford was born May 27, 1941 in Smackover, Arkansas to Edward Pierce Sr. and Ophelia G. Pierce. At an early age, Jimmie Ray accepted Christ as his personal savior and later united with New Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend John Toney, Sr. Jimmie Ray attended Smackover Training School and shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served during the Vietnam Era and earned a Purple Heart Ribbon for meritorious service. Upon receipt of an honorable discharge, he sought employment with Georgia-Pacific where he subsequently retired after twenty years of dedicated service. He also took on a part-time job at C.A.D.C. where he was in a position to be a blessing to others by providing quality transportation. On May 22, 1981, he took the hand of Mildred Washington in holy matrimony. Through this union they raised seven children, five boys and two girls. On Thursday, October 17, 2013, Jimmie Ray transitioned to his eternal resting place where he united with his parents, wife, one sister, Sallie A. Harper; one grandson, Nelson Frazier and one step-granddaughter, Karla Cook.. His loving memories will be cherished by one son, Rickey Frazier (wife, Jacqueline Marie Frazier of Newport News, Virginia) of Smackover, Arkansas; six step-children, Kenneth (Terri) Blackman of El Dorado, Arkansas, James (Linda) Washington of El Dorado, Arkansas, Calvin Washington of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and David Washington of North Little Rock, Arkansas; two step-daughters, Marian Lisa (Kevin Lewis) Robinson of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Cynthia (David) Lockett of El Dorado, Arkansas; one god-son, Doyle *Tank* Lee of El Dorado, Arkansas; twenty-three grand children, numerous great-grandchildren; three sisters, Susan Pierce (Wallace) Cutter, Sherrilyn Pierce and Joy Andrews, all three of El Dorado, Arkansas; four brothers, Edward Pierce, Jr. of Hawaii, Isaiah (Bobbie) Pierce, Johnny Pierce and John G. *BoBo* Pierce all three of El Dorado, Arkansas, along with a host of nieces, nephews, friends and relatives who will miss him dearly Visitation will be at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 and on Wednesday October 23 ,2013 from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. . A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday ,July,27,2013 at Evergreen International Ministries with Bishop Eddie Yarbrough, Jr. officiating .Burial will follow in Stamps Cemetery on South Jackson . Services are under the direction of Sims Mortuary, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jimmie Ray Ford, please visit our flower store.