J.C. Sexton

J.C. Sexton, age 83, passed away April 26, 2015 at his home near Sardis, MS. Funeral services for Mr. Sexton will be held Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home in Batesville, MS. Interment will follow at Peach Creek Cemetery in Sardis, MS. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 at Wells Funeral Home. Mr. Hal Johnson and Reverend Bobby Caples will officiate the service. J.C. was born March 18, 1932 to the late Claude R. Sexton and Sara Jane Cook Sexton in Sledge, MS. During his lifetime, J.C. first served under Sheriff Earl Hubbard from 1964 to 1967. After Sheriff Hubbard did not seek re-election, J.C. went back to farming, raising cattle, and operating his gravel pits. When Sheriff David Bryan was first elected in 1976, Sheriff Bryan appointed J.C. as Chief Deputy of Northern Panola County, where he served until his retirement in 1995. He enjoyed collecting antique tractors, and played a pivotal role in bringing the Antique Tractor Show to Sardis in 1990. This annual event continues today. He was a member of Peach Creek Baptist Church. Those left behind to cherish his loving memory include his wife Teresa Arbuckle Sexton of Como, MS, his daughter; Evelyn Hopper of Shawnee KS, step-daughter; Mariam Wahl of Madison, MS, 2 sons; Gary Sexton (Linda) of Senatobia, MS, and Jeff Sexton of Batesville, MS, 2 step-sons, one sister; Mildred Parrish of Pontotoc, MS, and one brother; Claude Sexton (Martha) of Pontotoc, MS, 5 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, and 6 step great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, J.C. was preceded in death by 4 sisters; Sara Stallings, Jeffie Bridgeman, Mattie Owens, and Ruby Burress, 6 half brothers Sam Sexton, Bill Sexton, Lonnie Sexton, Herman Sexton, Sterling Sexton, and Austin Sexton. The family asked for those wishing to make memorial contributions in Mr. Sexton's name to please do so to Panola County Cancer Relief Fund, c/o Red Hudson, 447 John Branch Rd., Batesville, MS 38606 or the Baptist Children's Village, 805 N. Flag Chapel Rd. Jackson, MS 39209