Greenwood businessman J.W. Mims was successful in a variety of endeavors because his word was his bond.
"He was good to his word. If he told you something, you could hang your hat on it," recalled Betty DuBard, the co-owner of DuBard Realty.
Mims, 71, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, at his home in Greenwood.
Visitation will be from 5 until 7 this evening at Wilson & Knight Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at North Greenwood Baptist Church.
"I knew J.W., gosh almost 40 years. J.W. and I have not only been attorney-client, we were business partners together in property development," said longtime Greenwood attorney Donnie Brock.
Mims, along with his nephew, Wayne Mims, operated Mims Realty. In addition, Mims owned a majority share of the Mims Oil Co., which distributes Shell gasoline throughout much of the Delta, Brock said. Mims also was the owner of Mims Convenience Stores.
A graduate of J.Z. George High School in Carroll County, Mims attended the University of Mississippi.
Brock said Mims' honesty and integrity were well-known.
"I would classify J.W. as the most honest person I've ever known. Anytime he told you something you could believe it," Brock said.
DuBard worked with Mims on the development and sale of North Court, a subdivision of 13 new patio homes near Sgt. John A. Pittman Drive.
Mims' strong faith guided him in his business life, DuBard said. In other words, "He didn't leave his religion at the door," she said.
Brock said often in his business dealings with Mims the men used "handshake leases" instead of formal legal contracts.
A U.S. Army veteran, Mims was a member of North Greenwood Baptist Church.
Brock said Mims was generous with the community, particularly the Boy Scouts and the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce.
"He was a good man. He will be greatly missed," Brock said.
