James Lee Keaton Sr

James Lee Keaton Sr., 89 of Holly Grove, passed away on July 24 at his home.

James was born July 24 1936 in Holly Grove to W.D. Drinker and Leona Isby.

Growing up in Holly Grove, James accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and became a member of Pine Ridge M.B. Church in Blackton, Arkansas under the leadership of Reverend A.J. Franks Sr. He later went on to move his member ship to Mount Zion M.B. Church in Holly Grove, under the leadership of Reverend Samuel David Wilson. He also enjoyed listening to sermons by the late Bishop G.E. Patterson.

James received his formal education from the Holly Grove Public School System.

James was employed as a farmer in Holly Grove for more than 70 plus years. He had worked for the John Martin Family, The Frank Miller Family and the Bob and Sandra Kemmer Family.

"Jim" or "Mr. James" as James was known was united in holy matrimony to Margaret Bryant on March 17, 1961. To this union six children were born. The marriage ended but they remained good friends and great co-parents and co-grandparents.

Two sons: Robert Keaton and John Keaton; his parents: W.D. Drinker and Leona Isby; stepparents: Channie Langston and Louis Keaton; siblings: Geneva Drinker, Christine Harris, Joy Lee Drinker, Parnell Langston , Rosie Lee Keaton-Langston, and Mary Keaton all preceded James in death.

Survivors are: a son James L. Keaton Jr. of Kansas City, MO; five daughters: Shirley Keaton and Barbara (Darrell) Bates-Curley both of Grand View, MO; Donna Keaton and Sharon Keaton-Barnes both of Park Forest, IL and Alberta B. Denton of Lynne, MA; 15 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren; eight brothers: Feaster Drinker Keaton and Sam Langston both of Chicago, IL; Willie D. (Christine) Drinker of Sherwood, AR; Mack A. (Donna) Drinker of Marietta, GA; AlbertDrinker of Long Beach, CA; Paul Langston of Chicago Heights, IL; Alfred Artis of Pasco , WA and Henry Lee Artis of Holly Grove, AR; seven sisters: Mary Drinker and Sharon Langston both of Chicago, IL; Andella Drinker-Clark of Matteson, IL; Ruby Jean Smith, Carolyn Langston and Sandra G. Brown all of Holly Grove, AR; and Janice Langston of Little Rock, AR; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon, August 9 at 1 PM at the Clarendon Holly Grove High School Auditorium, 320 North 7th Street in Clarendon with Reverend Dennis Wilson serving as eulogist. Interment will take place at Shady Grove Cemetery in Clarendon by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 and Stuttgart (870) 672-7100 email: williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com and www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net>.

The pallbearers are Lonnell Bates, Kimani Cook-Keaton, Terrance Keaton Stewart, Waymon Johnson, David Love, Willie C. Starr, Norman Lee, "Cowboy" Simpson and Tony Jackson.