Gulfport / Magnolia, MS
Funeral Home
Hartman Jones Funeral Home
Visitation
Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 11 A.M. to 1 P.M., Hartman Jones Funeral Home, McComb, MS.
Service
Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 1 P.M., Hartman Jones Funeral Home, McComb, MS.
Obituary
Look Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero who Served in 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 memorializing 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 August 14, 2026 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant First Class Joseph Lionel Cutrer, age 92, Gulfport, MS, who served and worked fulltime with Co. E, 1st Battalion , 155th Infantry Regiment (Magnolia) has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.
It takes a special person to serve in the military for their country, sacrificing time with family time, comfort, and safety to ensure all Americans can enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.
A special message from General Douglas MacArthur remains relevant today for our servicemen who have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Rest in peace, soldier. We honor your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family’s 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 brightly, and live so freely.
You have now earned your rest, so go fly with the angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is complete. 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:
Joseph Lionel Cutrer, 92, of Gulfport, MS, passed away peacefully at home on August 14, 2026. Born on January 13, 1934, in Gillsburg, MS, to Claudius H. “Bill” Cutrer and Mary L. “Cindy” Lawson Cutrer, Lionel developed a deep love for family and the outdoors from an early age. After graduating, he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps and later in the Army National Guard. In 1959, Lionel married Emma Hope Varnado, and they moved to La Place, LA, where they raised two daughters. The family relocated to Magnolia, MS, in the early 1970s, where Lionel owned and operated a Western Auto store. The couple was married for 24 years. He retired from the National Guard, leaving a legacy of service and dedication.
Throughout the 1990s and later years, Lionel enjoyed competing in local golf tournaments, caring for his parents, and actively helping raise his granddaughter, Summer. He valued daily lunches with his best friend IW at Nyla’s and cherished time with his dogs and cats on the farm until his eyesight prevented him from bush-hogging his land as he once loved to do.
Lionel was preceded in death by his adored baby sister, Patsy Ann Cutrer Hughes; his parents, Bill and Cindy Cutrer; his son-in-law, Bradford Lane Ravencraft; his former wife, Hope Varnado Cutrer Boyd; and many treasured relatives, friends, and beloved pets.
Lionel is survived by his daughters, Angela Hope Cutrer of Meridian, MS, and Wendy Leigh Cutrer Ravencraft of Gulfport, MS. His memory lives on with his grandchildren: Summer Hope Cutrer Tierno (Tony), Ashton Haeleigh Ravencraft Olson (Shon), Peyton Lane Ravencraft Densford (Sean), Savannah Quinn Cutrer-Welch Redd (Levi), and Bradford McCall Ravencraft (Erin)—and by his great-grandchildren: Veronica Alexis Tierno, Jaeleigh Hope Cutrer (Jacob), Keaton Cutrer Tierno, Luci Claire Tierno, Elijah Christopher Redd, Annora Claire Redd, Nova Raine Redd, Ella Lane Densford, and Emery Lumen Deniel Densford. His legacy of love, humor, and kindness survives through them all.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2026 from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M., followed by the funeral service beginning at 1 P.M. at Hartman Jones Funeral Home in McComb, MS. Burial will take place at Roberts Cemetery in Osyka, MS following the service.