James "Jim" Westmoreland

James Neal “Jim” Westmoreland, PharmD, passed away at his home in Long Beach, Mississippi, on September 5, 2026, surrounded by the love and care of his wife and daughter, draped with his Ole Miss prayer quilt. 

For all the letters he earned after his name, the titles he held, and the things he accomplished in his life, if you asked him what to call him, his answer was simple: 

“Just Jim.” 

Jim was born March 15, 1956, to Wanita and Tom Westmoreland. He grew up in Mendenhall, Mississippi, alongside his older brother, John, who had a nineteen-month head start on him. Jim was raised not only by his family, but by the best village Mendenhall could offer a boy. Among those who helped shape him were his stepmother, Stella Mae Westmoreland, and his grandparents, T.L. and Pallie Westmoreland. 

That Mendenhall boy grew into a man with an extraordinary mind, a love of learning, a deep devotion to his family, and a lifelong loyalty to Ole Miss. 

Jim began his college education at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, before continuing to the University of Mississippi, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1979. Never one to stop learning, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1980. 

His first job out of pharmacy school was at McGuffee’s Drugs, beginning a career in pharmacy that would span decades. In 1985, Jim joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a staff pharmacist. He became a pharmacy supervisor in 1992 and spent the remainder of his career at UMMC, ultimately retiring after decades of service. 

Even well into his career, Jim kept learning. While working at UMMC, he returned to the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and earned his Doctor of Pharmacy through a nontraditional PharmD pathway in 1995. Decades later, he was recognized as one of the Pharmacy Pioneers who pursued the PharmD through that path while continuing to practice. He was also Epic certified, bringing together two interests that followed him throughout his life—pharmacy and technology. 

Jim often said, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” He would add that although he went to the medical center every day, he worked very few of those days. It was his way of describing a career he genuinely enjoyed and a profession that felt less like work than a calling. 

For all the degrees, certifications, titles, and accomplishments that came with that career, Jim never needed much ceremony. 

He was still “Just Jim.” 

Jim married his college sweetheart, Mary Cupp, and together they blended their family and built a life that was never short on adventure. 

In December 2018, cancer entered Jim’s life. But cancer was never his whole story. 

There was far too much living left to do. 

Jim and Mary traveled. They went to Hawaii and Alaska, Ireland and Scotland, explored their home state on Robert St. John’s Magical Mississippi tour, and found countless other adventures along the way. And when fall came around, one of their favorite destinations needed no passport at all: Oxford, Mississippi, for Ole Miss football. 

There were trips to take, football and baseball games to watch, places to see, people to love, and memories still waiting to be made. Cancer may have changed some of the details, but it never got to define the life Jim lived. 

Faith was also a steady part of Jim’s life. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Mendenhall and, after making Long Beach home, became involved with First Methodist Church of Long Beach. His faith was reflected not only in where he worshiped, but in the communities and people he chose to support throughout his life. 

Jim was the proud father of his daughter, Jena Westmoreland, and bonus father to Michael “Mick” Dailey, who preceded him in death. 

Of all his titles, one of the most treasured was Papaw. 

He was Papaw to Joseph “Van” Stennett, Hazle Stennett, Stella Jaymes Stennett, and Lydia Stennett. They knew a side of Jim that no degree or professional title could capture. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Cupp Westmoreland; his daughter, Jena Westmoreland (Jeremiah Stennett); his brother, John Westmoreland (Kay); his sister Lanette Howard; and his four grandchildren, Joseph “Van” Stennett, Hazle Stennett, Stella Jaymes Stennett, and Lydia Stennett. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wanita Wickham, Tom and Stella Mae Westmoreland; his paternal grandparents, Pallie and T.L. Westmoreland; his maternal grandparents Bessie and John Wickham; and bonus son, Michael “Mick” Dailey. 

When the time came, Jim chose to go home. 

There, in Long Beach, Mary and Jena cared for him. His hospital bed was set up in the living room, his Ole Miss prayer quilt was with him, and football was on. After everything hospitals, treatments, radiation, medications, and cancer had demanded of him, he was finally where he wanted to be: home. 

And he was loved. 

Jim’s life began surrounded by the best village Mendenhall could offer a boy and ended surrounded by the family he had spent a lifetime loving.

His absence will be felt in the big moments, of course, but perhaps even more in the ordinary ones—in football Saturdays, family gatherings, phone calls, and the little phrases so familiar that no one thinks to imagine a world without hearing them. 

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Olivia Hightower and the staff of Memorial Oncology; Dr. Eric Wolfson and NP Alicia McDaniel; and Dr. Ron Krentel, Dr. Eric Anderson, and the staff of Memorial Radiation Oncology. Their exceptional care, kindness, and support throughout Jim’s cancer journey will always be remembered and deeply appreciated. 

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family asks that those wishing to honor Jim’s memory consider a donation to Backpack Buddies, c/o First Methodist Church, 208 Pine Street, Long Beach, MS 39560, or Simpson County Fellowship of Christian Athletes, P.O. Box 824, Mendenhall, MS 39114. 

For Jim’s Celebration of Life, the family has one special request: please wear your favorite team colors. Jim always said, “If we all liked the same team, it wouldn’t be any fun.” So come wearing the colors of the team you love and help us celebrate Jim in a way that would make him smile.

 And because anyone who ever ended a phone call or said goodbye to Jim probably already knows exactly how this story should end: 

“Stay out of trouble.“

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 9:30 - 11 am at the Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach.  The Celebration of Life will begin at 11 am in the funeral home chapel.  Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.