Jimmy Lidell Rayburn, 70, of Poplar Bluff passed away on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Mississippi.
He was born on Nov. 23, 1951, to William and Vivian Rayburn in Greenwood, Mississippi. Jimmy grew up in Greenwood and graduated from Greenwood High School and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Delta State University. While in high school and college Jimmy worked for Safeway and became a Produce Manager. In 1977 Safeway transferred him to Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Not long after he arrived in Poplar Bluff Jimmy began selling insurance for American General Insurance Agency. Very quickly, with his gift of gab, personality, and ability to relate to customers he realized the insurance business would be his career. After being successful with American General Insurance he was able to purchase Bell Insurance Agency in Poplar Bluff where he worked until his passing. On June 21, 1995, Jim married Debora Billington in Poplar Bluff.
Rather he was fishing, hunting, working, or being with family or friends, Jimmy loved living life more than any person could. Lots and lots of laughter was going to be echoing from the walls when he was in the room telling stories. Most often, the topic of conversation would be fishing or hunting. He would talk to family and friends about it for hours, until the point of annoying those family members that did not share the same passion for the sports. Rarely ever would you not see Jimmy with a smile on his face. He touched everyone he encountered, and it didn’t matter if he knew them or not. If you were having a bad day, all you had to do was talk to Jim, and he would make sure that your day was better when you left. His favorite thing to say was “I understand, and it will be ok” and as all his family and friends would learn, he was right.
Jim is survived by his wife, Debora, and second son, Jonathan, both of the home, and his first son, Brad Rayburn and wife, Tracy; six grandchildren, Nicole, Alyssa, Preston, Kylie, Garrett, Abbigail, and five great-grandchildren, Hunter, Kynlee, Drayven, Riverlyn, and Walker; his stepdad, Dan Downs; and one brother, Ricky Rayburn.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James; and his daughter, Amelia.
In true Jimmy fashion, this wouldn’t be complete without a hunting story. On Dec. 4, 2021, Jimmy went hunting one last time. He enjoyed that day like he did every other hunting day before. He woke up that morning at 4:45 a.m. doing karate kicks and singing. He said, “Woo less go everyone get up.” Knowing full well he was always the last one to leave in the mornings to go hunting. Later that day He said, “I have not felt this good in a long time.” After he was done hunting that evening, he parked the 4-wheeler in the woods that he purchased in 1970 and passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at New Home General Baptist Church, 1864 Highway AA, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Following the service burial will be the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heifer International at heifer.org.