James Michael Mooney

Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Philadelphia, MS. Dr. Dan Howard will officiate. James Michael Mooney was born May 31, 1935, to Herbert and Lina B. Mooney in Philadelphia, MS. He passed away on April 4, 2024, in Fort Smith, AR. James attended Philadelphia Schools. He and his twin brother, John, played high school football and went on to play collegiate football at Texas A & M under Bear Bryant. James loved to go to church and Sunday school at First Baptist Church of Philadelphia. His faith in God sustained him and gave him the promise of eternal life. James followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Herbert, Jr. making a career as a passenger bus driver with Gulf Transport and Jefferson Bus Lines. He prided himself on being a safe and loyal bus driver, driving all over the United States for 50 years. James was a member of Shriners International. He loved fishing, hunting, gardening, and walking every morning at the local park. You seldom saw James in town without one of his bird dogs riding in the back of his truck. Survivors include his daughter, Janice Sudbrink (David); grandsons, Sam Sudbrink (McKenna) and Ben Sudbrink, all of Fort Smith, AR; sister, Lavinia Nowell of Philadelphia, MS; and many nephews and nieces. Mr. Mooney was preceded in death by his wife, Eudora Mooney; son, Michael Mooney; parents, Herbert and Lina B. Mooney; brothers, Herbert Mooney, Jr. and John Mooney; sisters, Barbara Bounds and Anita Rahaim. Donations in his memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, First Baptist Church, Philadelphia, MS, and Heart of Hospice Fort Smith. The family is grateful for the loving care he received at Methodist Village and Heart of Hospice Fort Smith, AR.