Mr. Joseph Dudley Johns, 87, passed away peacefully with his wife of 62 years by his side on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 27th, at Porter Funeral Home, with Charles Davis, Dr. Heath Hillman, and Rev. Junior Davis officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Porter Funeral Home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Joe was born on October 19, 1936, in the Rocky Hill community of Louisville, MS. He graduated from Louisville High School in 1955 and then attended East Central Community College. Joining the Army as a senior in high school, Joe spent 10 years in the Army National Guard followed by 12 years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a Master Sergeant. Joe was tremendously patriotic and started a tradition of hanging flags on patriotic holidays all along McCullough Road, the street he called home for more than 40 years. He strived to be a good neighbor and viewed this act as one of service. He was even featured on the local news.
In addition to the Army, Joe retired from Taylor Machine Works after 43 years in Dealer Parts Sales. He enjoyed retirement, including traveling to Hawaii and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and he especially loved working outside. He took great pride in his yard and loved working hard. Most days, Joe could be found mowing his yard on his lawn mower or tractor, washing cars, raking leaves or playing with his dogs. He was a great lover of dogs, and they brought him so much happiness over the years.
As a member of First Baptist Church, he served as a deacon for many years and loved his church.
Joe loved his family and would take any opportunity to talk about “his girls.” He spent many years cheering loudly for his daughters at competitions, volunteering as a band booster and supporting his daughters any way he could. He was especially proud to be called Daddy Joe by his grandsons, Parker and Carson.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Dossie and Vera Mae Johns, and brother Bob Johns.
Joe is survived by his wife, Gloria Johns, of Louisville, MS; his daughter Kelly Agent and husband, Nowell, of Houston, Texas; his daughter Kim Hammond and husband, Brian, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; two grandsons, Parker Hammond and Carson Hammond; sister, Dell Gillett; and brother, Doyce Johns. Joe is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews as well as wonderful cousins and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Rooster Ball, Terrell Bell, Dan Curran, Paul B. (Chester) Dawkins, Joey Johns and Jakie Sullivan. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Doug Hudspeth, Lee Mitchell, Larry Moorehead, and Joel O’Briant, along with the men of Joe’s Sunday School class and the Monday A.M. Prayer Breakfast group.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Joe’s memory to First Baptist Church at www.fbclouisville.org/give or at FBC Louisville, 200 S. Church Ave., Louisville, MS 39339.