Joe Ogletree

Thomas Joseph (Joe) Ogletree was born in McLeod, Mississippi, in Noxubee County on June 3, 1934, to Fred and Imogene Ogletree. When he was 8 years old his family moved to the town of Macon.

Joe graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in horticulture in 1956. He participated in the ROTC while at MSU and after graduation he entered the Army to fulfill his military obligation. Upon completion of his military service, he moved to Jackson. Joe worked at Hinds County Co-op, where he was instrumental in starting a retail nursery center. During this time, he was introduced to Rose Evelyn Parsons, who he married in December of 1959.

Joe and Rose began their family and he continued to work at the Co-op until he started his own business, Standing Pine Nursery, at his and Rose's home place in 1967. Joe devoted himself to being a grower of quality bedding and vegetable plants. He was involved in every aspect of the business, from growing and delivering the plants to managing the employees. His work day continued into the night with the responsibilities of bookkeeping, payroll and other administrative duties. Standing Pine Nursery grew to be a valuable asset to the community. He would make time to see loyal customers and friends even while working long hours, seven days a week. Joe received the honor of being named Nursery Person of the Year for Mississippi in 2003. Upon his retirement, Joe left Standing Pine Nursery in the capable hands of his son, Jody. The nursery was closed in 2020 after 53 years of business.

Joe enjoyed growing his own garden. He grew beautiful tomatoes along with other vegetables in abundance that he shared with his family and neighbors. He maintained a herd of cattle until the mid 1990's. Joe was a lover of nature and a good steward of the land, by reforestation and maintaining the pasture land, that he and Rose inherited from her family. Another thing he loved to do was to watch college football on television every fall.

 Joe loved and was proud of his family. Especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who affectionately called him Popsie Joe. He loved and took care of Rose, his wife of 46 years, until her death in 2006. He was also proud to be from Mississippi and would tell you so. He loved the Lord and faithfully served as a longtime deacon and treasurer at Bethesda Baptist Church. Joe had a strong mind and despite his loss of mobility in his later years, he made each birthday a goal and was proud to reach his 90th birthday this year. He passed away at St. Dominic's Hospital on September 20, 2024 after a short illness.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings Gene Ogletree and Margaret Ann Ware; and son-in-law, Cory Ezelle. He is survived by his children, daughter, Bebe Ezelle of Shreveport, LA, son, Jody Ogletree (Dody) of Raymond, MS, daughters, Elizabeth Cosby Of Terry, MS, and Jennifer Collins (Kevin) of Milton, GA, grandchildren Dr. Karen Ezelle Dumesnil (Dane), Christopher Ezelle (Ashlon), Dr. Lee Ogletree, Joseph Ogletree, Austin Cosby, Marilyn Cosby, Jackson Collins, Brandon Collins, Rosemary Collins, great grandchildren Rose Ezelle and Caleb Dumesnil.

Memorials can be made to Bethesda Baptist Church or the Cemetery Trust Fund that Joe was instrumental in starting at Bethesda Baptist Church for the long term care of the cemetery. Mailing address for Bethesda Baptist Church:

13628 Midway Road

Terry, MS. 39170

Another charity that Joe was fond of was French Camp Academy.