James "Buddy" Jefferson Abbott, Jr.

James "Buddy" Jefferson Abbott, Jr. age 76 of Walthall, Mississippi passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2026, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Eupora, Mississippi surrounded by his family. Buddy was born in Pontotoc County, Mississippi on August 15, 1949, to the late James Jefferson Abbott, Sr. and Bernice Warren Abbott. He was a retired Mechanical Technician for Starkville Ford in Starkville, Mississippi for several years. Buddy also served his country in the United States Air Force and the 2nd 114th United States Army National Guard Field Artillery from which he retired honorably in 2019. Buddy is survived by his loving wife of thirty-four years, Johnnie Marie Williams Abbott of Walthall, Mississippi; one daughter, Vickie (Barry) Dodd of Walthall, Mississippi; two sons, James Abbott of Mathiston, Mississippi and Timothy (Letitia) Abbott of Walthall, Mississippi; one stepson, John David (Phillip) Wise of Starkville, Mississippi; grandchildren, Triston (Kory) Abbott, Katherine (Robert) Oliver, Nathaniel Power, Brittany (Ty) Hardin, Marleigh (Jacob) Meadows, Cancy Abbott and Collin Rice; great granchildren, T.J. Kasey, Karoline, Kendall, Jackson, Hunter, Anna, James, Ruth, Dawson and Francesca; sisters, Eula (Gary) Stewart, Ann Greene, Margaret (Charlie) Owen and Shirley Stallings; brother, Harold Abbott and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, James Jefferson Abbott, Sr. and Bernice Warren Abbott; sister, Sharon Swindoll; grandson, Tyler James Hardin and brother-in-laws, Evertte Swindoll, George Stallings and Charles Greene. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of visitation on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 5:00PM until 8:00PM at Oliver Funeral Home in Eupora, Mississippi. Funeral Services will be held for Mr. Abbott on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 1:30PM at Walthall Baptist Church in Walthall, Mississippi. There will be no public visitation prior to the services on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Interment will follow the services at Bethlehem Cemetery in Calhoun County, Mississippi. All Graveside/Committal Services along with Military Honors will be held at Walthall Baptist Church instead of Bethlehem Cemetery. Rev. Billy Michael Trull and Rev. Hugh Bland will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be William Wilson, Jim Hope, Kevin Galloway, Dale Pepper, Stan Criss and Jimmy Evans. Honorary Pallbearers will be all Military and 114th Infantry Personnel. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is honored to be entrusted with all arrangements for the Abbott family.