Samuel M. Peoples

SAMUEL M. PEOPLES, age 80, died in Little Rock on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Born near Booneville, Arkansas on June 15, 1931. Sam is preceded in death by his father, Orin Peoples, his mother, Lola Cochran Peoples Williamson, and his brother, Jake Peoples. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Jeannene; a sister, Loretta Thornton of Saint Joseph, Missouri; four children, Tonia Jones (David) of Little Rock, Greg Peoples (Georgia) of Springdale, Mark Peoples of Little Rock, and Tim Peoples (Josephine) of Austin, Texas; seven grandsons, Dylan Jones (Laura) of Little Rock, Matt Peoples of Austin, Texas, Tyler Jones of Little Rock, Jake Peoples of Austin, Texas, Luke Peoples of Austin, Texas, Caleb Drew Parker (Bethanny) of Conway, and Samuel Peoples II of Sherwood; and one great-granddaughter, Lily Jones of Little Rock. Sam joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1947, participating in the Berlin airlift and serving as one of the advance troops for the 5th Air Force in the Korean War, where he helped liberate Seoul from the North. He then served several commands both in the United States and Europe as a member of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, conducting counter-intelligence and major crimes investigations. In 1965, he transferred to the United States Army, where he served in the Criminal Investigation Division until his retirement in 1968. He moved to Forrest City from Springdale in 1976 in conjunction with his second career, an insurance claims adjuster. In 1993, he fully-retired but remained active, enjoying golf, church activities, woodworking, and, of course, his family. Sam was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Forrest City, and held almost every lay leadership position in the church. He was a member of the Board of Directors of East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging and is also a past president of the Forrest City Country Club. Sam's passing will leave a large void in the lives of his family and friends and also his dog "Moses." Funeral services will be at Forrest City United Methodist Church on Monday, March 19 at 11 a.m, followed by visitation and a celebration of Sam's life in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be at Ft. Smith National Cemetery on Tuesday, March 20 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Forrest City. Visit online registry at stevensfuneralhome.net. Under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.