James Ray Diffee, 87, passed away, Sunday, July 19, 2026, on hospice care at North Mississippi Medical Center. He left this world quietly and peacefully surrounded by his loving family, friend, and devoted caregiver. He was blessed to spend his final days visiting with loved ones. Jim was a native of Arkansas and had lived in Tupelo since 1983. He was born on October 19, 1938 in Little Rock, Arkansas, graduated from Little Rock Central High in 1956 and from the University of Arkansas in 1961. He is a Sigma Chi. While a senior at Little Rock Central; he met and fell in love with Nancy Bostic. They were married in August of 1960.
After graduation, Jim was commissioned in the U. S. Army. He served as an instructor at USAAMS at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, from 1961until 1963. After being discharged, he joined Armstrong Cork Co., now Armstrong World Industries, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He worked for Armstrong in Columbus, Ohio and Charlotte, North Carolina until 1973. While in the Carolinas he joined Brookwood Furniture of Pontotoc, Mississippi as a Sales Representative. In 1983, he joined Brookwood management and relocated to Mississippi. He led a management group that purchased the company in 1986. Jim was an avid and long-suffering Razorback fan.
He often said, “Moving from North Carolina to Mississippi was one of the “toughest things I ever did.” “In the end, it was one of the best things I ever did.”
Jim was a member of First United Methodist of Tupelo. He was a Sunday school teacher at the Holoman-Covenant Class. He served as Chairman of the Boards of Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic, and Traceway Retirement Community. He served two years as President of the Rotary Club of Tupelo. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow recipient and in 2012 he was Rotarian of the year. He served as President of Tupelo Country Club. He enjoyed golfing until the game left him. He tried to stay active at the NMMC Wellness Center with daily visits.
Jim leaves behind his wife of over 67 years, Nancy Kay Diffee; his sons, Richard “Ric” of Tupelo, and Michael Diffee and his wife, Karen, of Acworth, Georgia; twin grandsons, Preston and Chandler Diffee of Acworth; two step-grandsons, Jacob and Jared Hornsby of Acworth; and one niece, Kay Young (Rob) of Little Rock.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Shelton and Beatrice Diffee; and his brother, William “Bill” Diffee of Memphis, Tennessee.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time on Thursday, July 23, 2026, in the Gathering Hall of First United Methodist Church.
Services will be 12 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2026, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Andy Ray and Rev. Keith Keeton officiating. An inurnment service will immediately follow at the First United Methodist Church Columbarium.
The family has deep appreciation for Dr. Joe Bailey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 854, Tupelo, MS 38802.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made at PeguesFuneralHome.com.
.
