Our Staff

Jim Bob is a second generation funeral director. He was adopted by Herman and Kate Humphrey at the age of 7 and grew living in the apartment over the old Gardner Funeral Home building in downtown Russellville. He says that he actually got his start in the funeral business by washing the hearses for his dad when he was 10 years old.

He is a 1974 graduate of Russellville and a 1978 graduate of Harding University and 1981 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He and his wife, Betty have been married for 40 years and this is his 35th year in funeral service. They have 3 grown children, and 3 grandsons. They are members at the West Side Church of Christ, where Jim Bob serves as a Deacon. Jim Bob has been a part of numerous medical and evangelistic missions trips to South and Central America. Jim Bob says he has no plans for retirement and is looking forward to working on the construction of the Center Valley Memorial Gardens on land which has been in his family for over 100 years.

James is a 3rd generation funeral director. He is a 1997 graduate of Russellville High School and a 2005 graduate of Harding University where he received his Bachelors in Business Administration in Computer Information Systems. James is a licensed Arkansas Funeral Director and currently serves as President for the company. James and his wife Brandy have two children, Max and Makenzie. The family attends New Life Church.

Robert joined our staff in 2015, having a background in life insurance especially in the funeral expense market. He is a fully-licensed Funeral Director in Arkansas, and also serves as a bi-vocational pastor of the Damascus Assembly of God in Russellville. Robert is married to Jaime, and they have three children, Lexi, Andrew and Alexa.

Tammy Leakey graduated from Alma High School in 1984, and attended Westark Community College before completing a degree in Mortuary Science at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. She has been working in the various aspects of the funeral industry for more than 25 years. Tammy is married to Dean Leakey they have three daughters and five grandsons. In her spare time Tammy enjoys working on her farm.

Rick Smith is a licensed funeral director, ordained minister, author, speaker and recording artist. He works with art graphic design and audio/video editing & production. Rick not only serves our families in funeral planning but also coordinates all the marketing & advertising promotion of Humphrey Funeral Services as well as the special events we sponsor throughout the year such as the annual Veterans Day Parade. Rick pastors the Moreland First Baptist Church. He and his wife, Carol, have three children and four grandchildren.

Bob Lawson graduated from Lamar High School in 1969, and attended college at the University of the Ozarks and Arkansas Tech University, before completing a degree in Mortuary Science at the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1975. He has been a practicing Funeral Director & Embalmer for more than 20 years. Bob is married to Linda, and they have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. Bob enjoys restoring automobiles and is a skilled craftsman in various construction & renovation projects. He and Linda attend the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Russellville.

Aris is our bi-lingual (Hispanic) staff member and assists with our families in funeral services. He primarily serves in maintaining our facilities to assure we are clean, comfortable and accommodating to all your family & friends. Aris is a bi-vocational pastor to the Hispanic congregation of West Side Church of Christ in Russellville.

Ashley Tallent comes to our Humphrey Care Team from an extensive background in administration, customer service, bookkeeping and accounting. Having graduated from Dardanelle High School in 1996, she has remained a part of our River Valley community. Ashley greets our funeral home guests as receptionist, manages accounts payable for Humphrey Funeral Service, and works closely with the administrative tasks of our Center Valley Memorial Gardens.

When your visitation is planned on a week night or Saturday, Tamara is our staff host who will take care of you and your family & friends. She has also assumed other responsibilities with insurance claims and assisting our families with their Arkansas Burial Association burial plans.

In those occasions when your visitation time is planned for a Sunday afternoon, Shirley Garrison is our staff host for your family & friends.