Thomas Tims

Rev. Thomas “Tommy” Tims of Jonesboro, Arkansas, departed this life on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at the age of 74. He was born March 25, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Wiseman Monroe and Bertine (Gist) Tims. Rev. Tims was a graduate of Newport High School, later receiving a Doctorate Degree in Counseling from Bethany Bible College in Dothan, Alabama. Rev. Tims followed the calling as a minister at 35, spending his first four years at Rose Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Monticello, Arkansas. He then moved to Faith Free Will Baptist Church in Jonesboro where he spent 8 years, before moving to Westside Free Will Baptist in Pryor, Oklahoma. Following four years in Oklahoma, he returned to Rose Hill until he retired, becoming Interim Pastor for two churches. He was a current member of First Free Will Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Rev. Tims loved to preach, and served on the Free Will Baptist State Board several years. He enjoyed reading and hunting. Rev. Tims was preceded in death by one brother, Dudley Tims; and his parents. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joyce (Norris) Tims of the home; three children, Thomas Quinn Tims and wife, Lisa Ann, of Jonesboro, Melissa Joyce (Tims) Cousatte of Pryor, Oklahoma, and Kyle Wade Tims of Jonesboro; four grandchildren, Angela Riane Tims, Garrett William Cousatte, Tanner Bryan Cousatte, and Cali Renea Tims; one great-grandchild, Gabriel Mateo Saybe; and a lifetime of friends. Friends may visit at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home, Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services are 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at First Free Will Baptist Church at Jonesboro, with interment following at 1:00 p.m. in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Newport. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Rev. Tim Campbell, Rev. Kevin Barnett, Rev. Nelson Henderson, Rev. John Freeman, Phil Cook, Alan Huddle, and Mike West. Honorary pallbearers are Free Will Baptist Ministers and their Wives.