Joseph Howard Carnathan, 78, died Sunday, January 14, 2018, at the North MS Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born July 19, 1939 to the Late James Russell and Elsie Mae Carnathan.

Joseph was a 1958 graduate of Mooreville High School. He prided himself as being the very first Elvis Presley impersonator, he didn't think it was a big deal but his family thinks it's pretty cool. He worked most of his life managing auto parts stores in Mississippi and Alabama. He was also an insurance agent for several years.

Joseph was a member of Crossroads Christian Church. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan and enjoyed watching Alabama Crimson Tide football. His greatest passion was raising and breeding Southern Blackmouth Curs, which he had shipped all over the United States and several foreign countries. He wrote the breeding standard and registry for the Curs and registered the very first dog. He was an avid hunter.

Services will be 11 AM Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Lee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with his son-in-law Bro. Tom Thomas and Bro. Dale Carr officiating. Private burial will be in Crossroads Cemetery. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Survivors include Anne Carnathan of Mantachie; four children, Mark Carnathan of Mantachie, Lisa Thomas and husband Tom of Inverness, FL, Russ Carnathan of Mantachie and Marianne Dody and husband Chief Warrant Officer Jody Dody of Cherry Point, NC; three siblings, Eddie Carnathan and wife Pat of Saltillo, Janice Tindoll and husband Avalon of Tupelo and Carey Carnathan and wife Dottie of Tupelo; nine grandchildren, Ben Thomas and wife Jamaca of Lawrenceburg, KY, Seth Thomas and wife Lindsay of Saltillo, Jacob Thomas of Olive Branch, Braden Carnathan of Mosheim, TN, Bryce Carnathan of Tupelo, Ashley Montgomery and husband Tyler of Baldwyn, Mackenzie Carnathan of Colfax, NC, Tucker Dody and Mia Dody of Cherry Point, NC; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearer will be Jerry Morgan.

Visitation will be 5 - 7 Tuesday and 10 - 11 Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads Cemetery 415 CR 1498 Tupelo, MS 38804. Condolences and remembrances may be shared with the family through this online guestbook.