Obituaries

Jimmie Ames

Photo of Jimmie Ames
Jimmie Dell Tillman Ames died peacefully at her home on September 16, 2019, at the age of 94. Jimmie was born on March 12, 1925 at Fort Roots in North Little Rock, Arkansas, to J.R. and Ada (Smith) Tillman. She grew up on a peach farm near London, Arkansas, and graduated from Clarksville High School. Jimmie attended College of the Ozarks in Clarksville as well as Hendrix College in Conway. In 1940, she was voted Johnson County Peach Queen (Queen Elberta III), and in 1941, Jimmie (appropriately) won the title of Smile Girl of the Ozarks. Jimmie married the Rev. G.B. Ames on November 12, 1943, and together they raised two sons and a daughter. Supporting her husband's ministry as a Methodist minister, Jimmie resided in a number of Arkansas towns over the years: Conway, Paragould, Clarendon, Paris, Siloam Springs, Helena, Farmington, and Fayetteville, as well as Dallas and Louisville, Texas. After her husband's death, she settled in Fayetteville where she began work as an office manager for Dr. Joe Henley, and subsequently for Dr. Richard Roblee at Roblee Orthodontics until her retirement in 2007 at the age of 82. Jimmie was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church, where she taught the Asbury Sunday School class for over 20 years. Jimmie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother George Tillman, her sister Mary Louise Keeling, and her two sons, Scott Ames and Steve Ames. She is survived by her daughter, Darla Kordsmeier (Larry), her five granddaughters, Kerri Johnson (Mike), Mindy Smith (Stacey), Courtney Hart (Dan), Frankie Fortune (Dale), and Lindsey Ames, as well as 10 great-grandchildren. Jimmie Dell Tillman Ames endured many trials and difficulties in this life. When asked recently how she could remain so joyful in spite of such hardships, she replied, "Only with the help of the Lord Jesus." Jimmie's faith in the Lord Jesus was the source of her strength and joy. She was always looking for ways to lighten others' loads and to bring peace, joy and light into their lives. One well known quote asks, "Has ever anyone made so much music in the world by merely passing through it?" Jimmie brought music, love and fun to the lives of everyone she encountered. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but we rejoice in the knowledge of God's promise that we will see her again. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 23rd at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, with a burial service the following day at 2 a.m. in Clarksville, Ark. at Oakland Memorial Cemetery. To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

Published September 19, 2019

Upcoming Events