Jimmy Lee Abbott

Jimmy Lee Abbott of Sparkman passed away January 22, 2026 at his home. He was born June 7, 1946 to the late Acye and Loretta Mosley Abbott. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Peggy Mahan Abbott; their children Chris (Lorecia) and Emily (Glen); grandsons Briley and Gavin Abbott; granddaughters Ava and Anna Walker; step-grandchildren Jewelya, Logan (Anna) and their daughter Lilly, and Tylar (Emma) Hutchins; sister Martha Jean Jones; nephews John (Tara) Jones, Brent (Jamie) Abbott, and Mark Givens; nieces Debbie (Steve) Ethridge and Tanya (Greg) Graf; niece-in-law Stephanie Wingfield Givens. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William Abbott; brother-in-law H. C. Jones; sisters-in-law Judy Abbott and Barbara Mahan Givens; nephew Jason Givens and father-in-law and mother-in-law Reece and Atha Faye Ross Mahan. His family was his treasure on earth.

Jimmy accepted Christ as his Savior as a young boy and was a lifelong member of Sparkman Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Council and Board of Trustees. He served on the Sardis Methodist Church Preservation Committee. He graduated from Sparkman High School in 1965 and attended Southern State College where he earned a spot on the Muleriders football team as a walk-on. He served on the Dallas County Quorum Court for 16 years and was a member of the Arkansas Catlemen's Association . He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had a deep appreciation for ‘the land’ and spent his adult life operating his cattle and hay operation and managing his land, timber, and logging operations. He taught his children and grandchildren how to live off the land and passed down his knowledge of farming, the mechanics of farm equipment, heirloom seeds, beekeeping, and forestry, as well as his love for the wildlife and woods of southern Arkansas. He always expected his children and grandchildren to help plant and tend to his crops. They knew he would have trees for them to plant, fences for them to fix, and that he expected them to “get ahold of something.” So God made a farmer…

He was an avid historian – lover of old things and the old ways – with a remarkable knowledge of the genealogy of his family as well as that of the families and homesteads of Dallas County. He often asked, “Who are your people?” His favorite thing was to sit in his field watching his cattle graze, enjoying the peaceful surroundings while reading his Bible. His second favorite thing to do was to give clear, loud instructions to his family about the way he wanted things done. They listened.

He had a deep, abiding faith that saw him through many challenges and trials in life. His faith never faltered. He cared about others and although he never hesitated to share his strong opinions, he believed in forgiveness and giving others second chances. Throughout his lifetime, he quietly helped people around him and expected his family to do the same. He did not hold grudges. If he had one main goal in life, it was to do his part to get us all to heaven.

Visitation will be Friday, January 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Sparkman Methodist Church in Sparkman. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31 at Sparkman Methodist Church. Burial at Sardis Cemetery located in the Pine Grove community. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sardis Church Preservation Fund, c/o Chris Abbott, 1076 Hwy 128, Sparkman 71763 or Sparkman Methodist Church, P. O. Box 530, Sparkman 71763. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.