Joseph Robert Meadows, Sr.

Joseph R. Meadows, Sr., of Gulfport, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025.

He was born in Meridian, MS on February 12, 1936. His parents were the late Rev. W. L. Meadows and Mary Catherine Butler Meadows of Quitman, MS.

Joe grew up in Quitman, MS, graduating from Quitman High School. He would then make his way to Ole Miss where he earned his bachelor's degree in Banking and Finance in 1961. As an undergraduate, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He then enrolled in the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating with his law degree in 1963. During his time as an Ole Miss student, Meadows served Clarke County in the Mississippi House of Representatives in the 1960 term. He was also a veteran in the United States Army, serving 16 months in Korea.

In 1965 he and his family moved to Gulfport where he would spend the rest of his life in the practice of law and serving his community in many capacities.

His devotion to his community would not go unnoticed. In 1971, he was chosen as Outstanding Young Man of Gulfport by the Gulfport Junior Chamber of Commerce. The Boy Scouts of America awarded him the Pine Burr Award in 1978, the Good Shepherd Award in 1979, and the Silver Beaver Award in 1981. In 1983, the Gamma Iota Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha selected him as a member of its Hall of Fame. In 1989, he was named to the  "Outstanding Lawyers of America.” In 1999, the NAACP presented him with its Legal Services Award, and in 2004, he was the recipient of Boss of the Year from Gulfport Coast Association of Legal Support Professionals.

Meadows was appointed to serve numerous times in his career. He was appointed in 1978 as attorney for the City of Gulfport. In 1989, Gov. Ray Mabus appointed him to serve an unexpired term as District Attorney for Harrison, Hancock, and Stone counties. In 1990, he was appointed attorney for the Harrison County Board of Supervisors and served until he retired from that position in 2009. In 2015, he was appointed to serve an unexpired term on the Harrison County Board of Supervisors.

His professional involvement has been immense. Locally he would serve as President of the Gulfport Young Lawyers in 1970. In 1972, Meadows served as President of the Mississippi Young Lawyers. He was Chair of the Mississippi Bar Law Day committee in 1972 and 1973, receiving a national award from the American Bar Association (ABA) for his services. He was also the national Chair of the Disaster Emergency Relief Committee within the Young Lawyers Section of the ABA. Meadows was generous with his time in service to the Mississippi Bar as well. From 1973 to 1978 he served as Chair of the Bar’s Ethics Committee. He was Chair of the Bar’s State Convention from 1976 to 1978. Starting in 1978, he served for three years as Chair of the Bar’s Lawyer Referral Committee and was elected in 1982 to the Board of the Mississippi Bar Commissioners. In 1984 he was a member of the Bar’s Legal Education Committee and became a member of the Board of Governors of the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association. He was then elected in 1987 as President of the Mississippi Bar. He later would serve as President, in 1999, of the Fellows of the Young Lawyers of the Mississippi Bar. His loyalty to his alma mater would not fade as he also returned to his law school to serve as Lamar Order Chairman from 1997 to 1998. In 2011, he was appointed Chair of the Eighth Chancery Court District Liaison Committee. Joe’s life as a lawyer is best captured in the 2020 “Lifetime Achievement Award” presented by the Mississippi Bar Association.

Meadows was a mediator in numerous cases, including wrongful death, contract dispute, government/citizen dispute, domestic relations and personal injury. From 2009 to 2010, he served as Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Mississippi Bar.

Joe had the rare opportunity of public service in all three branches of state government: elected to the Mississippi Legislature (legislative), serving as District Attorney for Second Circuit Court District (executive), and serving on the Harrison County Board of Supervisors (which the courts have deemed judicial).

As a member of the First Baptist Church, Joe was one of the founders of the beloved Scrap Iron class where he taught for many years.

Joe was not all work and no play. He loved his Ole Miss Rebels, was a certified Scuba Diver, enjoyed his Harley Davidson, and was known to enjoy the occasional cheerful Rolling Stones concert! His love of life, his concern for his city, state, and his nation, his devotion to the law, and his love of family and friends in sum, make for a life well lived.

Joe is survived by his wife, Carole Lynn Wilson Meadows of Gulfport; his son, Joseph R. Meadows, Jr. and his wife Susan of Fairhope, AL; his granddaughter, Victoria Meadows Murphy and her husband Evan of Tequesta, FL; his granddaughter, Meredith Meadows Kajdan and her husband Alex of The Woodlands, TX; three great grandchildren, Julia, Henry, and Emma Kajdan; his nephew, David Meadows and his wife Vickie of Shreveport, LA; his niece, Beth Meadows Grace and her husband Kevin of Dallas, TX; and brother-in-law, Mike Wilson and his wife Debra of Lucedale, MS.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn Lynn Meadows.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Ferrell Alman, Sr., Frank Crosthwait, Kevin Grace, Dean Hyde, Alex Kajdan, Craig Martin, David Meadows, Evan Murphy, Sherman Muths, Jr., Sherman Muths, III, John Rester, Tom Sawyer, and Gerald Warren.

Len Blackwell and Bobby Eleuterius will deliver a eulogy with Mrs. Debbie Estes and Mr. Brent Warr providing the music. Dr. Jimmy Stewart will serve as Officiant.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, 246 Dolan Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39507 or the First Baptist Church of Gulfport, 12190 MS 605, Gulfport, MS 39503, or the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655 and designated for the Kathryn Lynn Meadows Scholarship.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Gulfport, Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 9:30am until the service begins at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family, and memories may be share at www.riemannfamily.com .