John Watson Oglesby, Sr., of Chatham, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Tupelo. John will be buried in Greenfield Cemetery in Glen Allan, with arrangements by Boone Funeral Home of Greenville. A visitation will be held at Glen Allan United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m.
Born September 17, 1939, John was a 1957 graduate of Glen Allan High School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in 1962 from Mississippi State University. A proud Delta farmer, he dedicated his life to farming, raising cattle and growing cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat with the family farming operation for over 60 years.
John was a lifelong Mississippi State fan and an avid outdoorsman whose most treasured times were those spent surrounded by his family, especially his grandchildren in his later years. He also served on many boards and was engaged in civic leadership and public service activities at the local, state, and national level throughout his life. In 1974, John was selected as the Outstanding Young Farmer of Washington County, and he served as a Commissioner of the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District for 24 years. He was a member of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Districts, a past Chairman of the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District, a past President of the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts, and he served on the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Executive Board. In 2008, John was inducted into the NACD Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame. John was a past President of the Lake Jackson Water Association, was on the Board of the Highland Land Corporation for many years, was a past Vice-President of Berkeley Gin, a past Chairman of the Northwest Mississippi R C & D Council, and a past President of Greenfield Cemetery Association. Over the years, he was also a member of the Division of Plant Industry Advisory Board, the Washington County Republican Executive Committee, the Board of Washington School, and the Board of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation in Memphis, and he was a past President of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, a past President of the Mississippi Association of Symphony Orchestras, a past Administrative Council Chairman of Glen Allan United Methodist Church, and a past Lay Leader of the Cleveland District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church.
John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carolyn, his sons, John Watson Oglesby, Jr. (Mary K) of Belden, and Todd McQueen Oglesby (Alexandra) of Chatham, and four grandchildren, Collin Cowgill of Fort Bliss, Texas, Jay and Carly Oglesby of Belden, and Miller Oglesby of Chatham. John was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Archie Oglesby, Sr., and by his siblings, Ada Lee Oglesby Norse and Joseph Archie Oglesby, Jr.
Donations in his memory may be made to Glen Allan United Methodist Church (PO Box 393, Glen Allan, MS 38744), Greenfield Cemetery Association (PO Box 10, Glen Allan, MS 38744), or to a charity of your choice.