Mr. James Lewis “Jimmy” Weems, 70, died Saturday, May 20, 2023, at his home in Oxford, MS. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2023, from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home.
Jimmy was born on November 3, 1952, in Lexington, MS to the late James Paul and Edna Belle Weems. He graduated from Lexington High School, where he played many sports, before continuing on to play football at Holmes Community College. Jimmy then transferred to The University of Mississippi where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. While at Ole Miss, he earned his undergraduate degree in Drawing, Print Making, and Graphic Design and his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts. Inspired by his own passion for artistic expression, Jimmy taught art at both grade and high school levels before teaching as a graduate student at Ole Miss. During the mid-1970s, he was named Artist in Residence in Yazoo City, MS. He and his wife, Debra, formerly owned Creative Sources, which gave Oxford residents a place to locally source art supplies and frames. He retired from City Grocery, where he served as General Manager for over 25 years. Jimmy remained an avid fan of all Ole Miss sports, and looked forward to any day he could spend on the golf course. He was a beloved member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Most of all, Jimmy was devoted to his family, and so many dear friends that he thought of as family. It was the company of friends and the love of his family that brought him the greatest joy in life.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Debra Strowd Weems of Oxford, MS; daughter, Dr. Sara Brooks Weems of Durham, NC; sons, Dr. Peyton Wood Weems and his wife, Bailey of Oxford, MS and Colin Gant Weems of Jacksonville, FL; sister, Paula Weems Childress and her husband, Jimmy of Madison, MS; and his granddaughter, Ellie James Weems.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jimmy’s memory may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
