Joe Abston

On Sunday, August 15th, 2021, Joe Abston, 51, passed away peacefully, into the loving arms of his Savior Jesus,  while surrounded by his devoted family after his relentless and courageous battle with Covid.

Joe more affectionately known by many as “BullDawg Joe”, was born on November 22, 1969, in Pascagoula, MS, to J.T. & Frances Abston, and was an inspiring older brother to Melissa. He grew up in Gautier, MS, playing basketball, baseball, and football while in junior high and in high school is where he met and later married the love of his life, Missy. He completed his Bachelor of Accounting and Master of Professional Accountancy at Mississippi State University. In 1994, he began working for Jackson County Port Authority of Pascagoula where he was a loyal employee as a Financial Manager for 27 years. Joe was also a long time member of Arlington Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher and treasurer over his many years.

Joe was not only a devoted Christian man, husband and proud father to his two beautiful daughters, Briana and Maggie, but he was also a loving son, brother and dedicated, trustworthy and loyal friend to so many. Joe was passionate about his mission to make this community a better place, and always willing to help a friend or a stranger.  As a community advocate, he served the City of Pascagoula as Councilman for 3 terms and he was involved in many organizations as a referee/treasurer for the Gulf Coast Football Officials, a chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Singing River Federal Credit Union, a treasurer for the Pascagoula Country Club, Mississippi State Alumni Association Gulf Coast Chapter member & scholarship committee chair, member of the Pascagoula Men’s Club, a member of Pascagoula Camp of Gideon International, Board of Directors for the Benevolent and Protective Order Elks Lodge #1120 and beloved Santa for the Pascagoula community. Joe loved to watch Mississippi State sports and was an original announcer for MSU Bulldog Sports Radio. He was an avid supporter of many charitable Golf tournaments along the Coast. Joe would support families in need at any given moment. 

Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, Norman and Mary Alice Abston, Arliss C. and Etta Nowlin and Uncles Charles Abston, Sam Nowlin, Jerry Nowlin, Colon Hataway; Mother-in-law, Margaret “Lavern” Beckham.

Joe leaves, to cherish his memory, his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 28 years, Missy (Beckham) Abston, and two daughters, Briana and Maggie Abston and their first daughter, their exchange student, Edna Villalobos; his parents, J.T. and Frances Abston; his sister, Melissa (Jerry) Callahan and their two children, Haley and Dylan; his in-laws, Danny & Janice (Davis) Beckham; sisters-in-law, Amy (Brandon) Prince and their children Taylor & Ethan; Angie (Vernon) Miller and their children Dustin (Jamie & Charlotte) Miller and Victoria Miller;  aunts and uncles, Tommy (Janith) Abston, Richard (Carol) Abston, Judy Halbert, Dot Barrintin, Faye Nowlin, Ferrell Nowlin, James (Floree) Nowlin, Merle Nowlin,  Loretta (Tyler) Piland,  Mary Nell Hataway, Boyd (Brenda) Beckham, Janet Hudgins, Judy (Larry) Whitehead, Rose (Charles) Rigby, Jerry Marshall, Kay (Mike) Dozier, Phillip (Bridgette) Brown; along with many amazing cousins and numerous other relatives and dear friends.  

Serving as Pallbearers will be Edward Neuman, Jr., Johnny Hays, Stacey Doggett, Marc Turner, Lewis Duke, Cliff Porter, Lea Bailey, and Stephen O’Brien. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Pas-Point and MS Gulf Coast Football Officials.

Visitation will be August 18th, Wednesday, evening at Arlington Baptist Church located at 2101 Market Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567, with Viewing from 5pm-7pm followed by the Service that will be officiated by Bro. Michael Wilkinson, Bro. Ben Carlisle, and Bro. Dobbs Dennis and music by Bro. Ed Phillips. The graveside service will be the following day Thursday, August 19th, at 10am at Machpelah Cemetery followed by the Elks Ritual.

The family would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Randy Roth, Dr. Micheal and the amazing and loving Covid workers at Singing River Hospital, Rachel Freeman and the O’Bryant O’Keefe Funeral Home,  and our family and friends who have helped us through these times.

In Lieu of Flowers: Memorials may be made to Gideons, Arlington Baptist Church,  or Mississippi State University Gulf Coast Alumni Association Memorials may be made through the Mississippi State University Foundation and designated for the Joe Abston Memorial Annual Scholarship. Commitments may be made online at www.msufoundation.com or checks payable to the MSU Foundation Inc. may be mailed to P. O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762. www.obryantokeefe.com.

You may watch his funeral service by clicking onto the box above his video.

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