Johnny J. (Joe) Loague passed away Monday, October 29, 2018 at North Mississippi Medical
Center in Tupelo. He was born on January 17, 1929, to Zelma Wilburn Loague and
Troy Loague.
Joe was raised in the Hopewell Community of Itawamba County and he lived his entire life
there except for the years he served his country during the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army. He was called to active duty in 1950 and was assigned to the Signal Corps. Providing communication demanded that he was outdoors for much of his time there, and due to the harsh weather
conditions, he suffered severe frostbite which plagued him throughout his life. He was
awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
After returning home, he married Zelma Elizabeth Thornton and became father to her son, Jerry. He
worked for a number of years at Tupelo Manufacturing where he served as plant manager. He
was known for giving others a helping hand and opportunities to work.
Both Joe and Zelma were long time members of Hopewell Baptist Church and he freely gave
his time and energy to serving there. No job was too small or too large for him to tackle and he
took great pleasure in the work he did for the church.
Joe loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved to laugh and both entertained and
educated as he shared his tales of the past. He will be greatly missed.
Joe is survived by his wife, Zelma; his son Jerry Dulaney and wife Katherine of New Albany;
two granddaughters, Denise Mitchell and husband Jay of Corinth, Hollie Moffatt and husband
Joseph of Tupelo; four great-granddaughters Kate and Sadie Mitchell of Corinth, and Ivy
Lauren and Natalie Moffatt of Tupelo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Jack, James, and Charles; and his
sisters Bonita Gray, Nell Martin, and Ocelle Stanley.
The funeral service honoring him will be held at 1:00 Friday, Nov 2, at McNeece Morris Funeral
Home Chapel with Reverend Jackie Gray, Reverend Matt Hudson, and Reverend Frank Panazarrino
officiating. Burial will be in the Keyes Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, Nov 1, from 5-8 PM and Friday, one hour prior to the
Service, all at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Fulton.
Pallbearers will be Roy Rock, Jerry Stanley, Steve Ganaway, Roger Dale Loague, Harold
Martin, and John Ed Gray.
