The wife of Rep. Steve Womack, Arkansas Republican, died Sunday, just three days after President Trump commuted their son’s prison sentence.
James Phillip Womack, 38, the youngest of the congressman’s three sons, was sentenced to eight years in prison in May 2024 for distributing methamphetamine.
Mr. Trump’s commutation of his sentence allowed him to be released from confinement on time served. He will still be under supervised release for five years, which was part of his original sentence.
Mr. Womack told local Arkansas outlets last week that he was grateful for Mr. Trump’s “gracious and thoughtful action.”
“The commutation has allowed my son to be with his family during a profoundly difficult time, and the president’s phone conversation with my wife and her care team made an impression that I’ll cherish forever,” he said.
A White House official told USA Today that the president considered the younger Mr. Womack’s record of good behavior in prison coupled with his health issues in his family, including his mother’s cancer diagnosis and his brother’s seizure disorder.
His mother Terri Womack, who was married to the elder Mr. Womack for 41 years, died Sunday in hospice, the congressman announced on Tuesday.
“My heart is broken and that space remains without her presence,” he said. “I take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering in pain and is at peace evermore. Her legacy of love will live in the hearts of all who knew her. Our family appreciates the outpouring of prayers and support. You have all honored her in such a special way, and we are eternally grateful.”
The congressman’s statement was accompanied by an obituary that noted Mrs. Womack’s children and grandchildren were the most important thing to her in life.
