Biography: James Wiley Mosley, 77, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died on July 2, 2009. He was born in Conway, Arkansas on July 28, 1931 to the late Mary Newton and Ellis Greenlee Mosley. Jim was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother, Edward Newton Mosley, of Batesville, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joanne Nolen Mosley; three children, James Dixon (Jim) Mosley and his wife Pamela, Mary Jo Watkins, and Marge Anna Luttrell and her husband Rex; and six grandchildren, Eli Mosley, Chris Mosley, Joanne Watkins, Paul Watkins, Audrey Ray, and Amelia Ray; and nephew John Mosley, in-laws, Mary Eleanor Mosley, Bob and Deborah Nolen. He was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Conway and joined the church when he was eight. After graduating from Conway High School and Hendrix College, he earned three degrees from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: a Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Divinity, and Doctorate of Ministry. He was ordained in 1955 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Galveston, Texas. He worked as Director of Admissions for Austin Seminary. Jim then served as pastor to Fain Memorial Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls, Texas, Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He served as interim pastor in Presbyterian churches in Mena, Russellville, Malvern, Clarksville, Mountainburg, Warren, Little Rock, and Conway, Arkansas. He was the interim executive presbyter and stated clerk for the Presbytery of Arkansas. He served a term as the Moderator of the Presbytery of Arkansas and a term as the Moderator of a Presbytery in Texas. In his spare time, Jim was also proud of his service to the Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center and the boards for Ferncliff, Lyon College, Schreiner College, and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The new open-air, multi-purpose building for camp worship at Ferncliff Camp has been named the James W. Mosley Tabernacle in his honor. In spite of his busy schedule as pastor and his service to the institutions he believed in, Jim always had time for his family. He was a devoted father and husband, always giving Joanne credit for the role she played in his ministry and speaking of their children with pride. Members of his congregations remember his non-judgmental attitude and his comforting presence in time of crisis. He will always be remembered for his beautiful, spontaneous prayers, as well as his great sense of humor. Even during the years after the accident that impaired him, Jim and Joanne were a source of inspiration to friends and visitors. While his presence here will be missed, his entering into the Church Triumphant is cause for rejoicing. Throughout his life, in word and deed, Jim taught us that God’s love is unconditional. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 1:00 PM at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial be given to Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, 1720 Ferncliff Road, Little Rock AR 72223 (in honor of Jim Mosley); Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 East 27th Street, Austin, TX 78705 (Jim Mosley scholarship) or Lyon College. P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, AR 72503 (Jim Mosley scholarship).
God bless all of you,
Meadow