Joseph Kellum

Tupelo - DR. JOSEPH LESLIE KELLUM, SR., 83, died Friday, March 7, 2008, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born July 1, 1924, in Palo Alto, Calif. to the late Henry Jackson and Lena Spence Kellum. A graduate of Tupelo High School, he then went on to The University of Mississippi where he graduated in 1948 with a B.A. degree. He taught chemistry at Morehead Junior College in 1949 before earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Tennessee in 1953. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving in the 100th Infantry Division, 399th Regiment in combat in France and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star with two clusters. He practiced dentistry in Tupelo for 44 years. He was a member of the ADA, the MDA, the First District Dental Society of which he was a past president, and the Tupelo Dental Society. He did volunteer service at the Good Samaritan Free Clinic and was a former member of the Luncheon Civitan Club. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting and fishing. He was a member of Gloster Street Church of Christ where he served as a Wednesday night adult class teacher. He also served as a deacon for West Main, Gloster Street and Saucier Creek churches of Christ. Twice, he and his wife, Marce, served in Guyana with Partners in Progress on dental mission trips. He was a mentor and role model for his five sons.

Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 2008 at Gloster Street Church of Christ with Bro. James Segars and Bro. Chad Ramsey officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Marce Kellum of Tupelo; five sons, Dr. Joseph Leslie Kellum, Jr. (Angela) of Harrahan, La., Dr. Daniel Henry Kellum (Ginger) of Tupelo, Dr. Roy Bradley Kellum (Susan) of Jackson, Dr. Mark Jackson Kellum (Joy) of Tupelo, Dr. Thomas Neil Kellum (Bobbi) of Tupelo; 14 grandchildren, Jennifer Charbonnet, Joseph Leslie Kellum, III, Jackson Kellum, Charlie Kellum, Samuel Kellum, Christopher Kellum, Kate Kellum, Dr. Bradley Kellum, Mary Chris Kellum, Payne Kellum, Tyler Kellum, Darby Kellum, John Thomas Kellum, Neilly Kellum; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Dr. Jesse Blake Kellum (Mary) of Cambridge, OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Dr. Henry Jackson Kellum, Jr., Dr. Agrippa Spence Kellum, Dr. William Carl Kellum, Sr., and Raymond Lester Kellum.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Elders and Deacons of Gloster Street Church of Christ; and Eldon Plunkett, James Umphers, Herb Guin, and Dale White.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, 4830 McWillie Circle, Jackson, MS 39206; or the American Cancer Society, 1800 W. Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38801.