Joseph Michael Abbott

Joseph Michael Abbott departed this life on February 19, 2016 at his home in Caruthersville, MO. He was born September 17, 1950 at Cottonwood Point, MO to Joe and Delpha Abbott. Mike attended schools, graduated from Caruthersville High School in the class of 1968 and attended the University of Tennessee at Martin. On June 28, 1975 he was united in marriage to Patricia Edmonson at Boeuff Presbyterian Church in Gerald, MO. Mike retired as Community Bank President of First State Bank and Trust Co., Inc. in Caruthersville in 2014 following nineteen years of service specializing in agricultural and commercial lending. Mike had previously served as operations manager of Pierce Fish Farms, branch manager of Farm Credit Services in Caruthersville, MO and bookkeeper for James S. Bruton Gin Co. making countless lifelong bonds with the many friends he worked alongside and the customers he served through the years. Mike relished life and always had a smile on his face. Mike enjoyed the game of golf throughout his lifetime, loved boating and water skiing, was an avid fan of the Ole Miss Rebels, was a true animal lover and was a master gardener who enjoyed gardening and working in his yard. However, everything revolved around family for Mike, as above all, Mike loved his family. Mike was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Caruthersville where he was an ordained elder and deacon and served as church treasurer and youth group advisor for many years. He served on the Caruthersville District #18 School Board, the city planning and zoning commission and was a past president of the Caruthersville Kiwanis Club and the Caruthersville Golf Association. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Delpha Abbott, his grandparents, Harry and Lottie Pate and Jesse and Vernie Abbott, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Robert and LaVerne Edmonson, and his sister-in-law, JoAnne Ciperson. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Patty, of Caruthersville, his daughter Sheri Moody and husband Clint of Jackson, MS, his son Todd and wife Susan of Oxford, MS, two grandchildren, Molly Marie Moody and J. Michael Moody of Jackson, MS, his sister Becky Smith and husband Bill of Vandalia, OH, his brother Brian and wife Anna of Caruthersville, MO, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dean Edmonson and Caty Norton of Olympia, WA, brother-in-law Bob Ciperson of Berkley Springs, WV, and life-long "buddy" Rick N. Clark of Caruthersville, along with a wealth of family including his aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins, and amazing friends whom he dearly loved. The service celebrating Mike's life and home going was held at First Presbyterian Church in Caruthersville on February 23, 2016 with the Rev. Ricky Lyle and Rev. Dr. Paul Currie officiating. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Duane Michie, Gordon Waller, James S. Bruton, Robert O. Pierce, Earl Bullington, and James A. Atchison. Pallbearers were Rogers VanAusdall, Jerry Pylate, Denny Baird, Bill "Peanut" Reno, Don Grable and Anthony Hartsfield. H.S. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Democrat Argus - Caruthersville, Missouri - Wednesday, March 9, 2016