Fallen Hero: Retired Sergeant Eddie Joe Loftin

Houlka

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Funeral Home

Memorial Funeral Home

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on Aug 5, 2024 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant Eddie Joe Loftin, age 60, who had served within the MSARNG in Company A, 223rd Engineer Battalion has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord. Joe was an Iraqi Freedom Veteran.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service details:
Houlka-Eddie Joe Loftin, 60, passed away Monday, August 5, 2024, at his home in Houlka. He was born November 14, 1963, in Pontotoc, MS to Corinne Nolan Smith and the late Edward Loftin. He was a Veteran.

Services will be at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Brian Thrasher, Bro. Tommy Kelly and Bro. Jim Crowley officiating. There will be a visitation from 2:00 p.m. until time of service at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Houlka. Memorial Funeral Home of Houston is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Shempert Loftin of Houlka; three daughters, Cricket Campbell (Steven) of Houlka, Kayla McCary (Nick) of Ecru, Krystal Poynor (Trey) of Ecru; one son, Kaleb “Buck” Poynor of Houlka; seven grandchildren, Kadence Gaskin, Kelly and Izzy Campbell, Fisher and Kohen McCary, Rorie Poynor and Ahlon Bean; his mother, Corinne Nolan Smith of Pontotoc; three sisters, Teresa Montgomery (Mike) of Algoma, Beverly Dallas (Tommy) of Pontotoc, Dedura Linley of Pontotoc; his mother-in-law, Daphna Shempert of Houlka; multiple nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Loftin; his stepfather, Rex Smith; his father-in-law, Billy Shempert; maternal grandparents, Durell and Maybell Nolan; paternal grandparents, J.T. and Fanny Loftin.

Pallbearers will be Mike Rooker, Jimmy James, Charles Haley, Rodney Logan, Randy Reeves, Chris Hobson. Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Smith, Mike Huffman, Mark Stevens and Mike Pettit.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 7, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Houston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude. Memorial Giving. 501 St. Jude Place. Memphis, TN 38105.

For online condolences visit www.memorialfuneralhomehouston.com.