Joe "Papa Joe" Wesley

Joe "Papa Joe" Wesley, age 92, of Poplarville, Mississippi departed this life into God's presence on Friday, March 8, 2024. Papa Joe was born in Poplarville, Mississippi to Dwight L. Wesley, Sr. and Dexter Yeager Wesley. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Poplarville. In his later years he attended many different churches and loved sharing his testimony and witness about God. He was very involved in the Lord's work. He loved children and would offer them peppermint candy, which he kept in his pocket, along with a smile and kind word.

Papa Joe was a giving man, when he saw a need he would meet it. Through his lifetime he touched many lives. His heart was for the Lord and he lived to serve the Lord. He served as a Gideon for many years. He loved God, his family and his country and he proudly served in the United States Army for approximately 23 years before retiring from the military. Joe also re-enlisted in 1991 during Desert Storm.

He founded and operated, Wesley Fertilizer Plant in Poplarville, Mississippi in 1960 for 45 years. Joe graduated from Pearl River Agriculture School. He was a farmer, cattleman and a storyteller. In 2002 he was the Tall Tale Champion at the Dixie National Western Festival winning the prized belt buckle. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dwight L. Wesley, Sr. and Dexter Yeager Wesley; wife of 62 years, Fern Tynes Wesley and two brothers, Dwight L. Wesley, Jr. and Robert Ben Wesley.

Left to forever cherish his memory are his three children, Katie Allen (Steve) of Poplarville, Mississippi, Jody Wesley (Angie) of Poplarville, Mississippi and Andy Wesley of Poplarville, Mississippi; four grandchildren, Jay Wesley, of Poplarville, Mississippi, Shane Wesley, of Poplarville, Mississippi, Hali Beech (Jeremy) of Picayune, Mississippi and Alexis Addotto (Daniel) of Old Hickory, Tennessee; three great-grandchildren, Tristan Beech, Mason Beech and Oaklee Mae Beech; many nieces, nephews, cherished friends, prayer partners, including a special friend, Gretta Hendricks with whom he studied the bible and prayed for others.

Family and friends are invited to attend Papa Joe's Visitation at White Funeral Home, 315 Hwy 11 South, Poplarville, MS on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

His funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 for 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church, 708 Julia Street, Poplarville, Mississippi. Burial will follow at Poplarville City Cemetery, 100 Larkin Smith Drive, Poplarville, Mississippi.

In Lieu of flowers please donate Bibles to the Gideons.