(From Benton County Funeral Home)
October 8, 1964 - October 3, 2026
Joseph “Jody” Raymond Peterson , a beloved brother, uncle, friend, and cherished member of the Gravette community, passed away tragically on October 3, 2026, following an unforeseen accident while riding his E-bike.
To know Jody was to know a truly gentle soul. Love was simply who he was. He had an extraordinary way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. He never met a stranger, and he never seemed to know how to hold a grudge. His heart was generous, his spirit was joyful, and his smile could light up a room.
Jody was known throughout his community as the “lawnmower man.” He loved his work, but even more, he loved the people he met along the way. He loved to talk, laugh, tease, and spend time with people. To many, he may have been the man they saw riding around town on his mower, but to those who knew him, he was so much more.
As a young boy, Jody suffered an accident that left him intellectually disabled. For much of his life, his sister Jeanne was his devoted caregiver and advocate. She loved him fiercely and helped him learn to live as independently as possible. Though his circumstances were different from many others, Jody never let them keep him from enjoying the simple things in life working, riding his bike, visiting with people, making friends, laughing, and being a part of his community.
His family was his greatest treasure. He was a beloved brother, uncle, and constant presence in the lives of those who knew him. His nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces will remember his kindness, his humor, his unconditional love, and the joy he brought with him wherever he went. Jody’s light was his great great niece Kimber Kate.
But Jody’s family extended far beyond those connected by a tree.
He became family to countless people in Gravette. He treasured the time people gave him, the conversations, the stories, the laughter, and simply knowing what was happening in the lives of those around him.
To you, it may have been just time. To Jody, it was love.
He was kind. He was thoughtful. He was generous. He was forgiving. He was loving. He had a heart of gold.
Jody leaves behind a legacy that was never measured by accomplishments or possessions, but by the people he touched. Every lawn he mowed. Every person he stopped to talk to. Every joke he told. Every smile he gave. Every time he showed up. Every person who felt a little less alone because Jody took the time to say hello.
His life reminds us that greatness isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like a man on a lawnmower, waving at you from the road. Sometimes it looks like a brother who never stopped loving his sister. Sometimes it looks like a friend who simply gave you his time because you needed someone to listen.
Jody gave love freely and expected very little in return.
But he received something far greater than he ever knew:He was loved by so many.
Jody is preceded in death by his father, Victor Peterson of Fayetteville; his mother, Rachel Maltbie of Gravette; his brothers, John Ewing of Springdale and Frank Peterson of Seligman, Missouri; and his sister, Donna Dutton of Fayetteville.
He is survived by his brother, Carl (Judy) Lowery of Grove, Oklahoma; sister, Jeanne (Freddy) Baker of Gravette; niece, Katie Hooper(Justin) of Noel Missouri; Kim Arnold (Jordan) of Pea Ridge; great-nieces, Aaliyah Hendrix (Mason) of Cassville Missouri and Reagan Arnold of Pea Ridge; great-nephews, Trenton (Elizabeth Durham),of Gravette Jayden Hooper, Jaxton Hooper of Noel Missouri and Hayden Arnold of pea ridge; and great-great-nieces, Kimber- Kate Belle Hendrix and Caroline Durham.
He also leaves behind countless friends and members of the Gravette community who loved him as one of their own.
The family would like to thank the people of Gravette who welcomed Jody, talked with him, looked out for him, and made him feel like he belonged. You gave him something precious: your time and love.
Please keep his family, friends, and all who loved him in your prayers as they learn to live without his familiar smile, his laughter, and his ornery little ways.
Jody, you were loved here.
You mattered here.
You belonged here.
And you will be missed more than words could ever say.
Until we meet again, sweet Jody.
Save us a place.
And don’t you dare stop being ornery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Maysville Missionary Baptist food pantry:
12016 AR-43 (or N. Hwy 43), Maysville AR, 72747
A celebration of Joseph, life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Maysville Missionary Baptist.
Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th St., Rogers, Arkansas. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com
Joseph “Jody” Raymond Peterson , a beloved brother, uncle, friend, and cherished member of the Gravette community, passed away tragically on October 3, 2026, following an unforeseen accident while riding his E-bike.
To know Jody was to know a truly gentle soul. Love was simply who he was. He had an extraordinary way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. He never met a stranger, and he never seemed to know how to hold a grudge. His heart was generous, his spirit was joyful, and his smile could light up a room.
Jody was known throughout his community as the “lawnmower man.” He loved his work, but even more, he loved the people he met along the way. He loved to talk, laugh, tease, and spend time with people. To many, he may have been the man they saw riding around town on his mower, but to those who knew him, he was so much more.
As a young boy, Jody suffered an accident that left him intellectually disabled. For much of his life, his sister Jeanne was his devoted caregiver and advocate. She loved him fiercely and helped him learn to live as independently as possible. Though his circumstances were different from many others, Jody never let them keep him from enjoying the simple things in life working, riding his bike, visiting with people, making friends, laughing, and being a part of his community.
His family was his greatest treasure. He was a beloved brother, uncle, and constant presence in the lives of those who knew him. His nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces will remember his kindness, his humor, his unconditional love, and the joy he brought with him wherever he went. Jody’s light was his great great niece Kimber Kate.
But Jody’s family extended far beyond those connected by a tree.
He became family to countless people in Gravette. He treasured the time people gave him, the conversations, the stories, the laughter, and simply knowing what was happening in the lives of those around him.
To you, it may have been just time. To Jody, it was love.
He was kind. He was thoughtful. He was generous. He was forgiving. He was loving. He had a heart of gold.
Jody leaves behind a legacy that was never measured by accomplishments or possessions, but by the people he touched. Every lawn he mowed. Every person he stopped to talk to. Every joke he told. Every smile he gave. Every time he showed up. Every person who felt a little less alone because Jody took the time to say hello.
His life reminds us that greatness isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like a man on a lawnmower, waving at you from the road. Sometimes it looks like a brother who never stopped loving his sister. Sometimes it looks like a friend who simply gave you his time because you needed someone to listen.
Jody gave love freely and expected very little in return.
But he received something far greater than he ever knew:He was loved by so many.
Jody is preceded in death by his father, Victor Peterson of Fayetteville; his mother, Rachel Maltbie of Gravette; his brothers, John Ewing of Springdale and Frank Peterson of Seligman, Missouri; and his sister, Donna Dutton of Fayetteville.
He is survived by his brother, Carl (Judy) Lowery of Grove, Oklahoma; sister, Jeanne (Freddy) Baker of Gravette; niece, Katie Hooper(Justin) of Noel Missouri; Kim Arnold (Jordan) of Pea Ridge; great-nieces, Aaliyah Hendrix (Mason) of Cassville Missouri and Reagan Arnold of Pea Ridge; great-nephews, Trenton (Elizabeth Durham),of Gravette Jayden Hooper, Jaxton Hooper of Noel Missouri and Hayden Arnold of pea ridge; and great-great-nieces, Kimber- Kate Belle Hendrix and Caroline Durham.
He also leaves behind countless friends and members of the Gravette community who loved him as one of their own.
The family would like to thank the people of Gravette who welcomed Jody, talked with him, looked out for him, and made him feel like he belonged. You gave him something precious: your time and love.
Please keep his family, friends, and all who loved him in your prayers as they learn to live without his familiar smile, his laughter, and his ornery little ways.
Jody, you were loved here.
You mattered here.
You belonged here.
And you will be missed more than words could ever say.
Until we meet again, sweet Jody.
Save us a place.
And don’t you dare stop being ornery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Maysville Missionary Baptist food pantry:
12016 AR-43 (or N. Hwy 43), Maysville AR, 72747
A celebration of Joseph, life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Maysville Missionary Baptist.
Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th St., Rogers, Arkansas. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com
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