Jerry Thomas Beggs

Jerry Thomas Beggs was born November 28, 1945, to Thomas Alexander Beggs and Birtie Mae (Carter) Beggs at Sims, Arkansas up Fiddler Creek. Jerry passed peacefully at his home in Chula (rural South Yell County), Arkansas May 28, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Judy Louise Harbor, Anna Jewel Taylor, Brother-in-law Delmer Taylor and niece Rose Anne (Taylor) Lewis.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda Pearl (Manley) Beggs, their four sons: Jerry Thomas Beggs II, Clinton Ottis (Eva Lynn), Aaron and Micaiah - daughter: Rebekah Rochella Weston (Clinton Ray), grandsons: Blake Clinton (Megan) and Clay Hunter (Jessica) Beggs, Devin Garrett Weston (Julie) – granddaughters: Christin Lee (Beggs) Hall (Joshua) and Leslee Alexandria (Weston) Smith (Reuben) - great-grandsons: Creed Blakeson, Brix Russell and Finn Alexander Beggs, Camden Grant and Brooks Garrett Weston, and Hollis Reed Hall, - great-grand daughters: Saylor Noel Beggs, Hazen Lee Hall, and Landry Kate Weston - brothers: Ogene and Harry (Nona) Beggs – sister Debra Joan Beggs and sister-in-law Harriett Beggs – and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Jerry was a family man, matriarch of a growing family of Beggs who loved his family to distraction.

Pallbearers are: Blake, Clay, and Robert Beggs, Devin Weston, Josh Hall, Reuben Smith, and Marty Taylor. A special thanks to Dr. Philip Tippin for the 30+ years of TLC of our family.

Jerry was a Christian Believer, saved by the Grace of God, ready to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jerry was a man of many occupations and talents: he was a mechanic - both vehicles and factory work, a farmer – swine, beef cattle, hay as well as his barn yard chickens, the family garden and field crops to feed his family. Planting, weeding, cultivating, harvesting and canning for the family was a joint venture with Dad in the lead running the tractor, tiller, cultivator or walking behind the plow horse. His talents didn’t stop there – he enjoyed running heavy equipment: dozer, backhoe, or driving his dully with 43’ tandem axel goose-neck trailer. He could run a chain saw with the best of them, cutting his own firewood well into his 70s. It was a show to watch him swing an axe or a splitting maul and pop those huge red oak blocks with ease. He just had the touch, he knew how to do it, and he had had plenty of practice.

He was an educated man – a graduate of Oden High School Class of 1963. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Henderson State University in 1982. Jerry took the job working as the 6th grade classroom teacher at his alma mater, Oden Public Schools, where he taught for 5 years. His next adventure began when he became principal of the elementary school at Mt. Ida. in 1987. He completed a Master’s in Elementary Administration in 1986 and another Masters - Education Administration Specialist in 1990. He was also a certified Curriculum Specialist K-12. He completed his education while heading a family of seven, two of which are developmentally disabled.

Jerry was an exceptional sportsman, played basketball with the Oden Timberwolves where he helped his team to the state playoffs in 1961 and ’62. He was a seasoned hunter, trapper and a bit of a fisherman in his younger days. His trophy collection attest to his expertise. Jerry enjoyed life after retiring, traveling extensively 49 of the 50 states in an overhead camper on the dully, watching his grandchildren play basketball, coaching them on from the bleachers and working in his gardens.

Visitation will be on Sunday, June 05, 2022, 4:00-6:00 pm, at Thornton Funeral Home in Mt. Ida. Memorial service will be at Lone Valley Church in Sims Monday June 6, 2022, at 10:00 AM with internment in the Beggs’ family mausoleum in the Lone Valley Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Thornton Funeral Service in Mt. Ida. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com