BELMONT, Miss - James Arthur McDowell, 68, went to his Heavenly home on Monday, August 19, 2024.

He was born on May 17, 1956 in Kenosha, WI to the late Joseph Aaron McDowell and Edath Mavalene Taylor McDowell. He was a born-again Christian of Baptist faith. He met the love of his life, Tammy Wood McDowell, in 1977 on the streets of Golden, Mississippi. All it took was just one wink, and the rest was history. They were married on June 8, 1979.

He started his career at Mississippi Tool Supply where he discovered his love for business and sales. He was owner and operator of M & W Sales for over forty years and Jamco Furniture where he was blessed to have many employees, customers and vendors who became his friends. He also proudly served his community as 5th District Supervisor from 2008-2011. He enjoyed talking to anyone and you could often find him in an in depth conversation about current events and the politics of the day. James was an avid fisherman and enjoyed his “little slice of heaven” which was his lake at his house, but more than anything he loved his family and spending time with them. He enjoyed supporting all the children in his life, especially his grandchildren, in their sporting endeavors and was a common fixture at their sporting events. He was their biggest fan.

Funeral services were at Salem Baptist Church in Golden, MS on Friday, August 23,, at 4 p.m. with Brother Mike Haynes, Brother Kerry Lee Peden and Brother Robert Wood officiating. He will lie in state at the church from 3-4 p.m. Visitation was Thursday, August 22, 5-8 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS. Burial was in Belmont Memory Gardens. Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS will be in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Tammy Wood McDowell; his children, Erick (Ginger) McDowell and Sheree (Rudy) Randolph, all of Belmont, MS; his grandchildren, Eli McDowell, Sadie Randolph, Rhett Randolph, Kaylee McDowell, Kynlee McDowell and Reese Randolph; his siblings, Karen (Bobby) Sheffield and Mary Craig of Blue Springs, MS and Jimmy (Candi) McDowell of Saltillo, MS; his mother-in-law, Glyndel Wood of Belmont, MS; his sister-in-law, Tracy (Daryl) Chambers; his brother-in-law, Jeffery (Ingrid) Wood and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Oneal Wood.

Pallbearers will be Tony Grady, Faron Kent, Derek Pharr, David Shumaker, Dudley Strickland, Jay Tate and Jonathon Tucker.

Honorary pallbearers will be Toby Allison, Timmy Archie, Jerry Moore, Terry Parsons, Odell Randolph, Chuck Turner and David Wood.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Gospel Light Jail & Prison Ministry. P.O. Box 193, Golden, MS 38847, gospellight.wood@gmail.com