Jim Isbell

Livestream of Funeral Service

Mr. Jimmy Howard Isbell, 78, son of the late Howard and Dorothy Isbell, was born on October 8, 1943 in Shannon, MS.  

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with interment to follow at Shannon Cemetery in Shannon, MS. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home.

He was a devoted Christian and spent many hours studying the Word of God. He was a true testament of honor and integrity. He attended Shannon School and held a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Mississippi State University. He was married to Mrs. Brenda Tutor Isbell in January of 1964.

Jim spent over 30 years in the school system and had a positive impact on many of his students, teachers, and coaches. He was a mentor to many and a friend to all. He held various roles as an educator throughout his career: Teacher and Assistant Principal at Tunica Public Schools, Principal at Drew Public Schools, Basic Adult Educator at Northwest Mississippi Junior College, Headmaster at North Delta School, and Headmaster at Delta Academy. During this span, he served as the President of the Mississippi Private School Board.

Following his career in the school system and several years as the Manager of the Sledge Gin, he fulfilled his dream of being a truck driver. He spent over 20 years as an independent trucker and was a positive influence on many of his colleagues and those he came in contact. He was always spreading the gospel and witnessing to others and was so proud of his sign on the back of his truck that read, “Where will you spend eternity?”.

Jim was a devoted husband, and his life will forever be celebrated in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Brenda Jeanette Tutor Isbell of Atoka, TN, his children, Tarey Isbell (Colleen) of Atoka, TN, Kirk Isbell of Palatka, FL, Christy Isbell Austin (Vance) of Batesville, MS, his 6 grandchildren, Kyle Isbell (Dorothy), Whitney Isbell, Kristan Isbell Lanquedoc (Michael), Brooke Isbell, Landen Austin, and Izzy Kate Austin, his 3 great-grandchildren, Darcie Isbell, Joel Howard Isbell, and Adaline Lanquedoc, and his sister, Dottie Schweinfurth. He was preceded in death by his sister, Katheryn Isbell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift or donation to North Delta Schools, 330 Green Wave Lane, Batesville, MS 38606.