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Local antiques dealer, Pippen, dies unexpectedly
Published Friday, August 8, 2008
NATCHEZ — The sudden death of a well-known Natchez antiques dealer has come as shock to many in the downtown community.
On Thursday morning James Pippen was found dead next to his swimming pool at his home on Rankin Street.
Pippen was 53; all of his friends just called him Jimmy.
His antiques shop, Pippen’s Limited Antiques & Interiors, was closed on Thursday evening with a wreath of black ribbon and white flowers hung on the door.
Byron Aldridge, a friend of Pippen’s, passed by the shop after he heard of Pippen’s death.
Aldridge said he last spoke to Pippen on Tuesday.
That’s when Pippen stopped by Aldridge’s house to look at a Steinway piano he had considered buying.
“He was the absolute picture of health,” Aldridge said of Pippen at their last visit.
Many of Pippen’s friends said he was in good health, and the Adams County coroner and the Natchez Police chief said there was no indication of, nor was there any reason to suspect, foul play.
Other antiques dealers who knew and worked with Pippen said they had heard he died of a heart attack, but coroner James Lee said he did not know the cause of death yet.
Police Chief Mike Mullins said Pippen appeared to have died from natural causes.
Lee said an autopsy has been ordered.
However the results of that autopsy will likely bring little comfort to Pippen’s friends.
Ricky Smith owns an antique shop across the street from the one Pippen owned, the two were friends for 35 years.
“It was a real shocker,” he said of Pippen’s death.
Smith described his friend as a devout Christian, excellent piano player and an extremely multitalented man.
“This block will never be the same,” Smith said of the area on Franklin Street where Pippen ran his business for 18 years.
“He was the kind of person who loved life,” he said. “He loved being Jimmy Pippen.”
Comments
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a tragic......
Posted by girlscout (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 1:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! I had'nt heard yet. My condolenses to Jimmy Porterfield.
Hope you find another buyer for that Steinway Byron.
Posted by babev1 (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MY prayers are with Jimmy's family. I have known Jimmy and his family for many many years.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh Jimmy...God bless you. You will be missed.
Posted by thelorax (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Prayers go out to him, Franklin Street won't look the same without him.
Posted by mommyof3 (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's friends and family. Franklin Street just won't be the same without Jimmy walking around with his morning cup of coffee.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a terrible thing to........
Posted by natchez500 (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jimmy brought a lot of people to natchez good business man we will all miss him
Posted by ds (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know you are laughing and having fun in a better place. You will be missed.
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Godspeed Jimmy.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry to hear this and extend my condolences to the family and friends
I'm 53 myself. Perhaps we might draw something good from this unexpected tragic episode and be motivated to get a checkup, work out regularly and take our health a little more seriously.
Each day is a blessing, let's not take it for granted.
Posted by judyw (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy was a happy little boy who grew into a happy, fun-loving man. When I think of him, I always smile.
I remember him from childhood when he came to Natchez to visit his grandparents. He loved Natchez then and until the day he died. He was a powerhouse. Our city is the less for his passing.
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bro. Triplett's been waiting on you man....RIP
Posted by noneya (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't this the second antiques dealer we have lost this year?! This was a heck of a nice guy and ALWAYS so polite. You are so right, judyw, his passing will be Natchezs loss.
Posted by VintageTransport (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have just learned of this tragic news. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Natchez as we know he was a very important member of your community.
Posted by mommytobe (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RIP cousin. we will all miss you.....
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah wasn't it last summer Hal Garner died?
Posted by Inquirer (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You will be missed my dear, dear friend. My mother and I adored you. Natchez will not be the same. Our condolences to the family. May God be with you in your time of loss. He was a great guy.
Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on August 8, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Rest in peace
Jimmy.
Posted by ozzette (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh how sad..only 53 years old. Much too young to have left. :(
Posted by RICKYSMITH (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I WILL MISS YOU EVERYDAY MY FRIEND. YOU ARE NOW WITH "M" AND THAT WAS THE ONLY THING MISSING IN YOUR LIFE HERE. SLEEP WELL. I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE THE STREET, CITY AND COUNTRY WITHOUT YOU. MS. KATHERINE, GLORIA, DEBRA AND DAWN, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL. GOD BLESS.
Posted by Bluebird3 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So Sorry to hear of this loss for Natchez and all of his loved ones he left behind. Make each day count and enjoy the trip along the way. There will be brighter days ahead!
Posted by roverguy1 (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy, we will all miss you.... Your nephew..... Especially... Love you.. Always
Posted by lucille (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To my special friend, James Pippen. I have not began to miss you yet. You are still here with me. I see you watering my flowers, I see you taking care of me as you always did. You always been a great neighbor, a great friend. I consider you even a family member because you told me I could do that. You got to teach me how to take care of my yard because I never knew how :}. I will be seeing you my friend.
Posted by thetinman (Keith Reynolds) on August 10, 2008 at 1:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate to hear this. I saw Jimmy a few months back. He was asking me to come to a BBQ when he got it planned out. I really hate to hear this.
Posted by crambo (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was the first of the family to hear the news. I nearly fell to the floor after I hung up the phone. It broke my heart to call my family members and to hear the devistation in their voices. My uncle was one of the greatest men I new. He was always so generous to us growing up. I respected him a great deal. I recently had the opportunity of staying with him for a couple of months and got to know him on a different level than I had before. Sim and I will miss you so much. I hearts ache so much. We love you and are distraught that you have gone. Our family will never be the same without you there to liven up things. Don't worry, brother and Tosha will be well taken care of. R.I.P. Uncle Jim.
Posted by ejack06_05 (anonymous) on August 12, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Carmen,
So sorry to hear of your uncles death. Everyone here in our department is thinking of you. You all are in our prayers. love and miss, erin j., nch radiology
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