James Myron “Birdshot” Wreyford, 85, died Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born February 28, 1941 in Camden, Arkansas, and moved with his family to Pine Bluff at the age of seventeen. He attended his senior year and graduated at Watson Chapel High School. It was here that he met his wife, Betty Varnell. They began their sixty-six year marriage in June of 1960. They remained in Pine Bluff, growing a family of two children, five grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. James worked at International Paper for almost forty-five years until he retired.
James was a faithful servant of God and a pillar of Shannon Road Baptist Church for sixty years, where he was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and mentor to many. He was always willing to go above and beyond to help others. He loved to witness for Jesus, sing, and share the Gospel. His motto was, “I pray, and I love.”
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Denver Wreyford and Jeannie Hicks Wreyford, his sister, Myrna Dinsmore of Hazlet, New Jersey, and his brother, Tommy Wreyford of Paragould, Arkansas.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; his son Todd Wreyford and wife, Connie, of Grapevine, Arkansas; his daughter Kimberly and husband, Dolph, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; five grandchildren: Amber Wreyford of Hot Springs, Arkansas, TJ Wreyford and wife, Hayley, of Hensley, Arkansas, Brittnee Hearnsberger and husband, Zac, of Mt Ida, Arkansas, Torrie Lenard of Forest, Mississippi, and Brandi Bragg and husband, Tim, of Ocoee, Florida; and fourteen great-grandchildren: Lucy, Jacob, Kira, Jack, Whitley, Bowen, August, Riggin, Korban, Torianna, Darianna, Austin, Ava, and Holton.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Shannon Road Baptist Church in Pine Bluff.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorial gifts be made to Shannon Road Baptist Church, 6817 Shannon Road, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603.
Cremation arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com