J. W. was born on December 25, 1939, to Bell and Annie Belle Romedy Dempsey. He was a member of Welcome Chapel Jesus Name Church of Louisville; and he retired as a heavy equipment operator with Hudspeth Construction Company. He loved his family dearly and with his outgoing personality, he never met a stranger. He enjoyed God’s creation by hunting, fishing, and gardening; and by passing the love of the outdoors along to his family.
J. W. is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lottie Culver Dempsey, of McCool, Mississippi; two daughters, Vickie McNeer, and friend, Luke Skelton, of Louisville; and Robin Henson and husband, Kevin, of Weir, Mississippi; and three sons, Hank Dempsey and wife, Blenda, of McCool; Scott Dempsey and friend, Dawn Morgan, of Noxapater; and Dennis Dempsey of Louisville. One of his greatest joys was being “PawPaw” to 12 grandchildren: Jenny Jackson, Hunter Dempsey, Talishwa Westbrook, Brittany Ellis, Misti Burnham, Jolene Phillips, Emily Hernandez, Felicia Hunt, Chastity Castillo, Blake Dempsey, Taylor Dempsey, and Madison Dempsey; and by 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Betty Ruth Sisson and Mary Belle Sisson; and his sister-in-law, Hilda Dempsey, all of Louisville; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Evelyn Culver, Prentice Massey, and Myrtis Vowell; and his brothers, Oscar Lane Dempsey; Henry Grady Dempsey; Joyce “Coony” Dempsey; Harold Norman “Bully” Dempsey, and Jimmy Troy “Bubba” Dempsey.
Serving as pallbearers will be Blake Dempsey, Hunter Dempsey, Taylor Dempsey, Miguel Hernandez, Yoan Hernandez, and Tommy Jackson. Honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Burnham, Chucky Dempsey, Michael Howard, and Luke Skelton. Memorials may be given to Welcome Chapel Jesus Name Church, c/o Rev. Minnie Dempsey, 204 N. Spring Avenue, Louisville, MS 39339.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
