James Lewis Wisdom

James Lewis Wisdom, 72, of Sylva, North Carolina, formerly of Greenbrier Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 9th, 2015. Jim was born on July 8, 1943 behind Sportmans Park in St. Louis, Missouri to his parents the late Lois Sanders Vandeford and the late Lester Wisdom. He graduated from Hazelwood High School in St. Louis County in 1961. After a brief stint in the Air Force he attended Brown Business School where he met the love of his life, Vivian Lee Mueller. They married in October 1962. Jim answered the call of God and became an ordained minister, graduating from Central Baptist College in 1973. He pastored churches in Indiana and Missouri before becoming disabled from seizures. He later became a licensed funeral director. Jim loved sports…baseball, basketball and football. He loved the Arkansas Razorbacks, the North Carolina Tar heels, the St Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves. He loved any team that was playing against the Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed fishing and always managed to come home soaking wet. He treasured the time he spent as a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. He was diagnosed with ALS just eight weeks ago. In the end, family was his most cherished blessing and he enjoyed spending time with them. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Vivian of Sylva; his daughter, Melinda and her husband, Jere Kuehn of Sylva, N.C.; his daughter, Diane and her husband, Van Gardner of Little Rock Arkansas; his sister, Nancy and her husband, Dan King of Arlington, Tenn.; his grandsons: Joel and his wife, Erin Kuehn and their children Salem and Tanix of Charlotte, N.C.; Matthew and his wife, Jeanette Kuehn and their son Benjamin of Arden, N.C.; Seth Kuehn of Sylva, N.C. and his granddaughter Cassie Kuehn of Sylva, N.C.; numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom he loved dearly. A Celebration of Life will be on Monday, December 14 at 2 p.m. at Sylva First United Methodist Church, 77 Jackson Street, Sylva, N.C. with Pastor Mike Shuford officiating. Family visitation will begin at 1 p.m. prior to the service. On December 19, 2015, Jim's family will receive guests from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m., in the chapel at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W 12th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park with the Reverend Tom Wisdom officiating. The family requests that to honor James' love of sports, please wear your favorite sports team clothing to the service on Saturday. Jim held the Jackson County Department of Aging close to his heart. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to Jackson County Department of Aging, 100 County Services Park, Sylva, N.C. 28779. Please share your messages of love, comfort and support with the family at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.