Joseph Howard Gipson

Joseph Howard Gipson, 69, a lifelong resident of Rutledge, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025. Funeral services for Howard will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 2nd, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home with Rev. Malcolm Butts officiating. Interment will follow in Rutledge Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday for one hour prior to the service.

There was no better shopping companion than Howard, especially if you were looking for a deal. Now, did Howard actually need the item that was on sale? Maybe not, but he wasn't gonna pass up a good deal! It's no surprise then to learn that his home was full of all the items he collected over the years, with every piece important to him. He was also a proud graduate of Crenshaw Christian Academy, as well as a big fan of NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt, because the man always loved him a fast car. But, if we're talking about fandom, there was no bigger fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide than Howard Gipson. No use in arguing who the best college football team was, his mind was 1000% made up on that topic! Around the house, he was constantly using his gift for tinkering. There was almost nothing Howard couldn't work on and get running again. He was also loved his church family at New Harmony Baptist Church and cherished any time they spent together in worship.

Howard called the family homestead his home for most of his life. He was extremely proud of his ability to keep the family farm going and taking care of their home that was over 100 years old. Family meant everything to him and he was truly cherished by every single member but especially the ones who called him either "PawPaw" or "Uncle Poward." Truly, his heart was as big & warm as the sun, and that love and generosity of spirit simply radiated out of him. Now, that didn't mean he was the kind of person who didn't freely give you his opinion about any topic out there, but the love was always there. They say his life could be summed up as "family, farm, and football" but, more importantly, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle to a large family who simply adored him as much as he did them. We simply never have enough time with the people we love and it hurts more when that time is shorter than we planned, but Howard leaves behind a vast amount of wonderful memories made over those years together to keep him alive in the hearts and minds of all those who loved him so dearly. .

Howard was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Gracie Tuck; parents, Charles Carson & Mavis Gipson and Louise Moore Gipson; and sister, Charlotte Moody. He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Linda Odom Gipson; children, Rodney (Jill) Johnson and Shelley (Steven) Tuck; grandchildren, Ian Tuck, Orion Tuck, Brady Johnson, James Tuck, and Maggie Johnson; siblings, Wanda (Mike) Hicks, Louis (Connie) Gipson, Mike (Dianne) Weaver, Julius Weaver, and Margaret Pierce; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Orion Tuck, Ian Tuck, James Tuck, Brady Johnson, Colby Carpenter, Blake Weaver, Joe Hicks, and Adam Hicks.