LOUISBURG - Jimmie Reece Gupton, 81, of Louisburg, passed away Saturday afternoon at his home.

Jimmie was the son of the late Bennie and Mollie Gupton. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Mozelle Gupton Mullis; son, Travis Gupton; grandson, Christopher Gupton; sister, Kay Bottoms; and brother, Ben A. Gupton.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., at Red Bud Baptist Church.

Jimmie was a loving husband and father, always sharing words of wisdom and guidance to them and others that he mentored along life's way. He never met a stranger, greeted everyone with a kind word, and dedicated his life to helping others.

Jimmie was a faithful member of Red Bud Baptist Church where he was a strong supporter of its ministries and building projects. He ministered through teaching Sunday School at local rest homes and singing in the choir. Because of his strong faith and trust that God would provide, his life was dedicated to loving and serving others.

Jimmie was born and raised in Franklin County where he served "for the people" as a County Commissioner from 2004-2008. He was known throughout the area as hard-working, honest, big hearted, and gracious. He was a smart businessman and an inventor, with ideas that were ahead of his time.

As the owner/operator of the IGA Grocery from 1967-1988, he was able to show the local community how he valued each of them and their business. He lived his well-known slogan "We Like People." He also traveled to tobacco warehouses in the Southeast for 23 years where he was known as one of the fastest ticket markers of his time.

When he did have some free time, Jimmie enjoyed fishing and hunting, feeding and watching the birds, gardening, and growing yellow roses.

Jimmie is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Dawn Murphy Gupton; their children Sherry Vaughan (Willard), Robbie Hunt (Mike), Reece Gupton (Cindy), Beverly Gardner (Jeff), and Joshua Gupton (Kim); grandchildren, Brandon Vaughan (Amy), Cameron Gupton, Colby Gupton (Kristen), Casey Gupton, Scottie Gardner (Lauren), Hannah Gardner, Chandler Gardner, and Raylan Gupton; great-granddaughter, Emily Vaughan; sisters, Jean Bunn and Barbara Harrelson; brother Dan Gupton (Florine); and sister-in-law, Mary T. Gupton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Red Bud Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1284 NC Hwy. 58, Castalia, NC 27816.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at Strickland Funeral Home, 103 W. Franklin St., Louisburg.

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