Joe Simpson

Tupelo - Joe Francis Simpson, Jr., 79, died Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. He was a longtime resident of Tupelo and was the lst surviving member of his family. his parents were Elizza Smith Simpson and Joe F. Simpson, Sr. of the Eggville Community.

Mr. Simpson was a president and salutatorium of the senior class at Mooreville High School from which he graduated in 1947 . He was a graduate of the Banking School of the South. Also, he attained crditable hours from the University of Mississippi in Banking Law and Banking English. At the age of thirty-three, he was promoted to Vice President of the former Peoples Bank and Trust Company, now Renasant. Later he attained the office of Senior Vice-President, a position he held until retirement, April 1, 1995. He was manager of the Main Street office from 1973 to 1979 and was a member of the Junior Bankers Association of Mississippi. He spent six years in the U.S. Army Rserves and was a Seargent in the local Battalion No. 323. Mr. Simpson was a charter member of the East Heights Civitan Club and was the president for one term. He was also a former member of the Tupelo Luncheon Civitan Club. He helped organize the East Heights Development Corporation and served as the only president for the 15 years of existence. Two subdivisions were built during that time. As an adult leader of the Cub Scout Troop of Lawhon School, he and three other leaders accomopanied the Scouts to the Grand Canyon and other western states in 1971. He and his wife served as president of the Lawhon PTO for one term. He was married July 18, 1993 to the former Edith Corrine Jenkins for almost 57 years. They traveled extensively. Mr. Simpson was a longtime member of the East Main Church of Christ and served on the building committee. He encouraged young men to attend the Memphis School of Preaching and gave liberally to their support. He was taught by his father that "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." He was very conscientious and dedicated to his church, his work, and to his family.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Ministers Bill Ross and James L. Segars officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Edith J. Simpson of Tupelo; his daughter, Melinda Davenport (David) of Prosper, Tex.; his son, Joe Simpson III (Joan of Hartselle, Ala. He leaves grandchildren, Leah, Deanna, and Hayden Davenport. Also, He leaves two step-grandchildren, Kay Cochran Moore (Jacob) of Hartselle, Ala. and Johnny Cochran of Tuscaloosa, Ala. A step-great-grandson, Connor Blaine Moore, also sruvives as well as two nieces, five nephews, Ann Moore, Pam Hodges, Charlie Turner, James Turner, and Jimmy Hodges. .

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Christine Turner, Ruby Kingsley, Mildred Summers, Mary Nell Hodges, and a brother, Lowell Simpson.

Pallbearers will be Bill Martin, Kelly Thompson, Jimmy Hodges, Shannon Wade, Marion Godfrey, Lynn Turner, and John Thomas Haydock.

Honorary pallbearers will be Rudolph Franks, James Williams, Dean Webb, Marty Ramage, Butch Lyle, and George Davis Simpson; and the employees of the Renasant Bank and the elders and deacons of East Main Church of Christ.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to East Main Church of Christ, PO Box 1761, Tupelo MS 38802; or Memphis School Of Preaching, 3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road, Memphis, TN 38125.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com