BENTON — James “Jim” Freeman Shuffield,

90, of Benton, Ark., was ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 12th, 2021, at his home surrounded by family and friends.

James never met a stranger, so we are sure that he is shaking hands and getting to know all those that made it there before him.

Born to William “Uncle Billy” and Hattie Shuffield on August 20, 1930, in Bismarck, Ark., as the baby of five older brothers, two half-brothers, and half-sister: Connie Lester, Gilford Remus, Fred Neron, Roy Odis, and Russel Dayton (Mama Shuffield had a knack for interesting names), Edgar, Arthur, and Addie, who all preceded him in death, he had a large welcoming committee and sweet reunion waiting for his arrival.

Growing up in the Depression era, James learned the value of hard work from Papa Shuffield, working on the farm as well as starting his illustrious sales career in seeds and Grit newspaper as a young boy.

That work ethic served him well the rest of his life. James was a jack-of-all-trades and wore many hats during his 90 years - son, husband, father, Baba, schoolteacher (Bismarck, New DeRoche, Southwest Junior High), entrepreneur and owner of United Supply Company selling Vollrath cookware, and owning and managing rental properties, youth and church slow-pitch softball coach, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and faithful member at Unity Missionary Baptist Church, Temple Baptist Church, and Oak Park Baptist Church. In his last few years when asked what he was up to he would always quip, “My full-time job these days is holding down this lounge chair.” And he never found a recliner that he couldn’t nap in.

James loved softball and served as the Junior Olympic ASA Commissioner coordinating tournaments all over Arkansas. He was loved and respected in the softball community culminating in his induction into the ASA Hall of Fame in 2008.

Baba was mostly an open book, a man that says what he means and means what he says, but he was not without a few secrets that he has now taken to the grave: the enigmatic “Barrel of Sweetness” and “Hefo Cosmolis”, or is it “Hepho Kosmolis”? I guess we will never know…We will be pondering these deep mysteries for the rest of our days.

James loved his Lord faithfully, his wife passionately, his family immensely. The impact he has had on all those he came into contact with will only be measured in light of eternity. He would never take credit for his legacy but would always say, “It was by God’s grace. To Him be the glory!”

James is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Kathryn Shuffield; his children, Beverly Brown (Dan), Valerie Little (Mark), and Doug Shuffield (Shawn); Baba to his grandchildren, Jeremy Brown (Ashley), Stephan Brown (Rachel), Joel, Sarah, and Aaron Little, Meagan, Molly, and Joshua Shuffield; his great-grandchildren, Carson, William, and Gracie Brown, Kinley and Lexi Brown.

Visitation will start at 9 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 21st, 2021, at Geyer Spring First Baptist Church, 12400 Interstate 30 in Little Rock with pastor Gary O’Neal and Dr. Clif Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery on Highway 5. Memorials may be made in his honor to Life Word Ministries in Conway, Ark. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond