James Benton (J.B.) Brown

James Benton (J.B.) Brown of Jonesboro passed away July 2, 2012, at the age of 87. J.B. was born April 16, 1925, in Manila, Ark., the son of Bud and Myrtle Brown. He grew up in Manila, where he graduated high school. J.B. joined the U.S. Army at 18 years of age and served in Germany during World War II. After the war, he attended Arkansas State University, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters in School Administration. He returned to Manila to teach school, and subsequently became the principal of Manila Junior High School.

J.B. served as the mayor of Manila for 18 years, from 1965 until 1982. Under his administration, the Manila Hospital was built. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Manila, serving as the chairman of the Administrative Council for many years. He was married to Mary Helen Duckworth in 1970. J.B. moved to Jonesboro in 2000 and lived there until his death.

J.B. is survived by sons, Dr. Dwight Duckworth, and his wife Dena of Springdale, Ark., and Dr. Benton Brown, and his wife Dini of Madison, N.J.; granddaughters Alyssa and Ashley Duckworth, of Springdale; and cousins, Macky Joe Ashabranner, Benton Ashabranner, Roy Lee Ashabranner, Ann Wells, Janice Crooms, and Melvin Brown.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Myrtle Brown; his father, Bud Brown; and sons, Dr. Cary Crawford and Alan Duckworth.

The family would like to thank the Keith Weyer family for their shared friendship, love and care and Dr. John Campbell, Dr. Ben Owens and the staff of The Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House for their care of J.B.

Visitation was held Friday, July 6, from 1-2:30 p.m. and services were at 2:30 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home with Rev. Kenneth Winningham officiating. Interment was in the Manila Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be made to: First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1367, Manila, Ark. 72442, (870) 561-4936, or Methodist Family Health Foundation, P.O. Box, 56050 Little Rock, Ark. 72215.

To sign online guest book go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com.