James David Bedwell, 74, of Jonesboro died on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, at his residence.

He was born in Fagus on March 18, 1930, the son of the late Andrew Harrison and Sara Elizabeth Bedwell.

He married Virginia Marie Kitchen. They were married for 56 years and had eight children.

Mr. Bedwell worked as a building contractor.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Dan Franklin Bedwell, Hosea Orville Bedwell and Louis Edward Bedwell; and two sisters, Goldie Marie Clemons and Edith Irine Bedwell.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Marie Kitchen Bedwell; eight children, Janie Marie Jones of Malden, Judy Ann Broughton of North Little Rock, Jeanette Allen Alstadt of Jonesboro, James Ledell Bedwell and Janice Kaye Bedwell Gott, both of Sherwood, Johnny Dwight Bedwell of Piggott and Jerry Dewon Bedwell and Joel David Bedwell, both of Jonesboro; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Andrew Jackson Bedwell and Julius Grant Bedwell of California and Cletius Eugene Bedwell of Missouri; and one sister, Ruby Katherine Javornik of Colorado.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, in the Hoggard and Sons Chapel with Anthony Dowdy and Daniel Simonin officiating. Johnny Bedwell gave the eulogy.

Burial followed in the Piggott Cemetery. Active pallbearers were David Bedwell, Jeffrey Bedwell, Sean Bedwell, Tanner Bedwell, Glen Smith Jr., James Craft, Rick Johnson and Steve Bearden. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, Kim, Cassie, Kara, Missy, Ashley, Krystal, Jessica, Jennifer, Heather and Carla.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to hospice.