Joseph Nelson Peacock

Joseph Nelson Peacock died on March 5, 2018 at 75 years old. He was born on August 21, 1942 to Mary Dabbs and Charles J. Peacock Jr. in Beedeville near McCrory, Arkansas. Raised on the Peacock family farm with four brothers, he learned early on the value of hard work. He would grow up a cowboy, learning to ride horses at an early age and competing in horse shows during his high school years. While working on a farm in White County near Bald Knob, he met the love of his life, Ann Reed, the daughter of Bald Knob strawberry farmers, at the famous Bulldog Drive-In. They were married shortly thereafter on January 29, 1965. They went off to college together, helping pay for each other's tuition, while they earned their bachelor's degrees. Joe quickly learned that accounting wasn't the best fit for him, so with Ann's encouragement, they moved to Fayetteville for Joe to go to the University of Arkansas School of Law. While there they gave birth to their first son, Nelson Peacock. Younger brother, Denver Peacock, would follow more than two years later once they had returned home to McCrory for Joe to put up a shingle for his new law firm. While in McCrory, Joe practiced law and served as city attorney and long-time school board member. He spent eight years in the Arkansas State House of Representatives during the gubernatorial terms of Dale Bumpers, David Pryor, Bill Clinton and Frank White. He would later serve on the Arkansas State Claims Commission and Arkansas State Parole Board during the gubernatorial terms of Jim Guy Tucker, Mike Huckabee and Mike Beebe. He enjoyed the Arkansas Razorbacks, golf, duck hunting, smoking his BBQ ribs and eating fresh tomatoes from his garden. He and Ann were well known for their hospitality and generous spirit. Joe and Ann were married 45 years until her untimely death in 2010. Joe was never the same after Ann passed. His broken heart never regained the joy and laughter that was ever present in the Peacock household, but he always maintained his generous spirit towards family and friends. Joe is preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brothers, Charles J. Peacock, III and H.K. Peacock. He is survived by two brothers, Jim Peacock of Beedeville and John Peacock of San Benito, Texas; sons, Nelson Peacock of Fayetteville and his wife, Susan; Denver Peacock of Little Rock and his wife, Melissa; and four grandchildren, Lily Ann, Emma, Presley and Hudson Peacock. He is also survived by niece Rita Reed Harris, who was like a daughter to him. Visitation will be at 1pm with the funeral service at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 9 at the First Baptist Church of McCrory. After a burial at the Fakes Cemetery in McCrory, a public reception will begin at the Richard and Velma Chappell Civic Center in McCrory. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give to the Richard and Velma Chappell Scholarship (P.O. Box 599, McCrory, Ark. 72101) for McCrory area college students or to the Pulaski County Humane Society (14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72210) in honor of his beloved dog Arnie Peacock, who was brought into the family by his late wife Ann.