James W. Mashburn Jr.

James “Jim” W. Mashburn Jr., 86, of Jonesboro, passed away, Monday, October 10, 2016 at St. Bernards Medical Center. He had lived in Jonesboro since 1963, moving here from New Albany, Mississippi. Jim married the love of his life, Helen Silvey, on September 15, 1961. As he would put it, “He was married for 50 plus five years”. He was a member of the Jonesboro University Heights Lions Club, and was a previous member in the Benton, Arkansas and the New Albany Lions Club, serving for 65 years of perfect attendance. He graduated from Little Rock High School in February 1948. While attending Strayer College he worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Finger Print Identification Specialist in Washington DC. Upon completion of his college degree, he returned to Arkansas to work in Benton for the McCoy Couch Furniture Manufacturing Company. In 1962 – 1963 he worked for the Futerion Furniture Company in New Albany. In 1963 he moved to Jonesboro and opened the O.K. Tire Store on Gee Street. In 1975 he added the Jayco Camping Trailer line and in 1985 changed the name to Mashburn R. V. Center.

Jim was preceded in death by his son, Rob Mashburn; his parents, J. W. and Mattie Mashburn. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, where he attended the Men’s Fellowship Class. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and was also a member of the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge #129, a 32 Degree Mason, a Shriner.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Helen Mashburn, of the home; son, Rick Mashburn (Aria) of Phoenix; daughters, Carole Johnson; Lara Dickson (Brad) of Jonesboro; sister, Marilyn Bowles of Mabelvale, Arkansas; grandchildren, Brian Mashburn (Carrie) of Henderson, Texas; Tiffany Woodard (Jonathan); Kyle Jones (Mariah); Ryan Dickson, Haley Dickson, Weston Speir and Lilian Speir all of Jonesboro; six great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, October 13, 2016 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bruce Venable officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge. Honorary pallbearers are the Men’s Fellowship Class of First Baptist Church and the member of the Jonesboro University Heights Lions Club. Burial will be private. Visitation will be from 1:00 until service time.

For lasting memorials, please consider the Jonesboro University Heights Lions Club, PO Box 16063, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72403; or Care Center of First Baptist Church, 701 S. Main, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401. To sign an online registry, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.