M. Joseph Emmons

Mr. Emmons, 78, graduated Alcorn Central High School in 1965, the University of Mississippi in 1969 with a bachelor of Arts Degree in history and in 1974 with a Master of Social Science Degree in political science.

Mr. Joseph Emmons served the U.S. Army honorably for twenty-three years and retired as a Sergeant First Class. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Joe served two tours, and while there earned a Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Joe was also the recipient of the Army Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal among others. Throughout his military service he served as a combat engineer in Vietnam and a military intelligence agent in Korea and Germany. He studied Chinese Mandarin, Basic German, and Advance German at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. During his last seven years of service, Mr. Emmons served as an instructor at the U.S. Army Intelligence School at Fort Devens, MA. While living near Boston, MA he had the opportunity to take some European history classes at Harvard University. Mr. Emmons loved to travel and lived or spent time in 49 of the 50 United States. In addition to being stationed in Vietnam, Korea, and Germany, he spent time in England, France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, Guam, Wake Island, and Canada. He was an avid Ole Miss fan and loved animals.

Mr. Emmons is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Mrs. Patricia (Beckham) Emmons of Corinth, MS; stepdaughter, Olivia Jones-Niedzialek (Larry) of Coral Springs, FL; and step granddaughter, Candace Brown (Sara Peung) of Mountain Home, ID.

Mr. Emmons was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Elmer and Minnie (Lowery) Emmons of Corinth; two sisters, Mrs. Marguerite Maddox and Mrs. Elizabeth Ragan of Corinth; and a brother, Mr. Bobby G. Emmons of Brentwood TN.

Mr. Emmons interment took place in the Corinth National Cemetery conducted by the U.S. Military Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, at Mr. Emmons’ request, please make a charitable donation to your local Humane Society.

The family has entrusted McPeters Funeral Directors with the care for the arrangements.