Joe Upton lived his 80 years as a Galatians 5:22 man, “But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance against such there is no law”. A wonderfully made man, Ronnie Joe Upton was born in Homer, LA on July 4, 1944, to the late James Archie Upton and Lola Gladys Ozment Upton. The family moved to Lumberton, MS. where Joe grew up and graduated from Lumberton High School in 1962. Being a lifelong die hard, cowbell ringing Bulldog, Joe spent 4 years at his beloved Mississippi State University graduating with a BS degree in the College of Business and Industry. He never one day let the spirit of “Maroon and White” fade as he followed the Dawgs in football and baseball faithfully. Joe’s work career of over 40 plus years was working for Farm Bureau Insurance as an Adjuster, a job he loved and was the best at. Joe married his lifelong sweetheart, Betty Lynn Wages Upton in Winona on Aug. 30, 1964, and they made their home in Tupelo in 1968 after a brief period of working in Baton Rouge. Joe won many awards and commendations from Farm Bureau including 1989 Senior Claims Representative of the Year, 1997 Physical Damage Adjuster of the Year, 1992 and 2002 District Adjuster of the Year. He served as President of the Northeast Ms. Claims Association in 1973 and in 1985 was named District Adjuster of the Year. Retiring in 2004, Farm Bureau called him back to service in Post Katrina where he made quite a name for himself as he promptly assisted many families get on with their lives and property. He and Betty were members of Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo where they faithfully worshiped and raised their children. Next to Bulldog sport, Joe was an avid master Crappie fisherman. He loved the lakes, streams and rivers of the Mid-south and few things brightened his day more than fishing. Joe and Betty loved traveling and cruises. They visited Greece, Italy, the Holy Land, Russia, Denmark, Turkey, Germany, Sweden, Alaska and Hawaii and many other foreign destinations including too many cruises to name. Joe adored his long-hair dachshund, Piper. His life was marked by love of God, family and community and his legacy will be that of a man who encouraged others daily, served as a role model for his beloved children and grandchildren and greater mankind in the spirit of the Golden Rule.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Sunday, July 21, 2024 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Dr. John Boler officiating. Private family burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at noon Sunday until service time at 2 PM. The service will be live-streamed at 2 PM at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming and will be archived thereafter.
Joe is survived by his wife, of 60 years, Betty Wages Upton of Tupelo; three daughters, Kim Hudson and Jolie Tate (David) of Tupelo and Sonya Schneider (Chris) of Oxford; a son, Mathew Upton of Guin, AL.; his grandchildren, Patton Hudson (Leah), Callie Grace Hudson, Lane Tate, Reid Tate and girlfriend, Bo, Lauren Tate, Emery Kate Schneider, Aubrey Upton, Addison Upton and Brayden Upton; 3 great grandchildren, Micah Hudson, Noah Hudson and Rowe Tate; a sister-in-law, Betty Jo Upton of Houston, TX.; his nieces, Lola, Claudia, Laura and Mary Jo and their families and his favorite Uber driver and caregiver, Alicia Clayton. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, James Edward Upton, and a granddaughter, Brittany Glenn.
Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hyland Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306 (donationsupport@t2.org).
Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their dear friends.
