of Vilonia, AR

December 30, 1923 - January 9, 2022

Jessie Clyde Peppers was known by family and friends as Clyde, JC or Pep. He never liked being called Jessie. He was a quiet, kind, shy, humble man who loved his family and loved his God. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior while attending the Second Baptist Church in West Helena as a young man. After moving to Vilonia in 1965 he joined First Baptist Church of Vilonia where he has been a member for over 50 years.

He was born on December 30, 1923 to James Arthur Peppers and Mattie Belle Rollins Peppers in Belle Greene, Alabama. He was the youngest of seven children. His parents moved to Arkansas when he was five years old. He grew up during The Great Depression and had little opportunity for a formal education. He attended the school of hard knocks and learned to work hard at an early age in the cotton fields of the Delta. Despite not having an education he learned to read and read his Bible faithfully.

Clyde was drafted into the United States Army at the age of 19, where he served during World War II. On March 18, 1943 he entered basic training at Camp Roberts, California. After he completed basic-training he was shipped out to fight the Japanese. He was a member of the 983rd Field Artillery Unit. He fought in New Guinea, Dutch Papua in the Battle of Lae. He then went to New Guinea and Finschhafen to fight in the Battle of Sala Maua. He also sailed to the Philippines and fought on the islands of Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao and Mindoro. He was on the island of Leyte with the 9th Field Artillery and was part of the force that assisted General Douglas McArthur liberate the people of the Philippines. He served his country with honor and pride. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 battle stars, the Philippine Liberation ribbon with 2 bronze stars, the American Theater ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory ribbon. He was honorably discharged on January 1, 1946 to Fort Chaffee when the war ended.

Clyde met the love of his live, Wilma Hartwick, after returning home from World War II. They had a whirlwind romance and were married three months after meeting. On August 10, 1946 they found the county judge and were married on the courthouse steps in Helena, Arkansas. For $3 he bought a lifetime of love. They were happily married for 52 years until her death in 1998. They had a beautiful life raising four children and a big garden. Clyde enjoyed farming, he farmed most of his life in the Delta. He sold the farm and moved his family to Memphis in 1958. He tried living and working in the city, but being a farm boy at heart he needed land. He didn't want to go back to the Delta and found some land in Vilonia, Arkansas. In 1965 he and Wilma built their forever home and their life.

He had a long life full of love and vegetables. His hobbies included gardening, riding his tractor and mowing his yard. He was well known for his big, beautiful garden full of vegetables and sunflowers. He also had the best yard around. A weed never stood a chance against his John Deere. Clyde was called to his heavenly home on January 9, 2022 where he was reunited with his wife, Wilma and his son Jimmy who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1974. He was also reunited with his parents, his brothers, Henry, Claude, Ethridge and Marshall Peppers, his sisters, Ethel Humphres and Elsie Pankey and his grandson, Jason Peppers. He has an extensive family left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy of kindness. His children, Patsy Moore of Conway, Charles Peppers (Paula) of Conway, Johnny Peppers (Tamara) of Mt. Vernon, nine grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nephews, nieces and friends are truly blessed to have had so many years to learn from him. He was blessed with ninety-eight years of life experiences and wisdom t share and mentor to those fortunate enough to know him.

Family and friends are welcome to celebrate the life of Jesse Clyde Peppers on Thursday, January 13th at First Baptist Church in Vilonia. Visitation will be at 11:00 am, followed by the services at 12:00 noon. Services will be officiated by Dr. Kyle Seal. A graveside service will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers are John Reed, Lee Smart, Randall Garrison, Tim Johnson, Charlie Graves and Derek Hawkins. Honorary pallbearers are Tommy Browning, Charlie Weaver, Voyne Weaver, Freddie Weaver and Red Sisson.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com