Jeane Abide Iupe

Jeane Abide Iupe, age 88, died at home Wednesday, October 18, 2017 after an extended illness.  Visitation will be at Breeland Funeral Home Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. The funeral mass will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Canton on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. with burial in the Canton Cemetery.

Jeane was born November 5, 1928 in Greenwood, MS.  As a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Greenwood, she was active in the Ladies Sodality Society.  She graduated from Greenwood  High School in 1946 and continued to work with her parents in their clothing store in Greenwood, Abide’s, until 1955. 

Jeane met her future husband, Joe Iupe, Sr., in 1954 while accompanying her mother to St. Louis for market. They married in 1955 and continued to manage The Fair Store  in Canton which they purchased and developed into one of Mississippi’s premier clothing stores---Iupe’s.  Jeane never met a stranger as she eagerly welcomed visitors to Iupe’s  and to Canton.

Jeane’s career in retailing spanned 65 years.  She and Joe were among the founding members of the Miss. Retail Merchants Association and were recognized by the MRMA upon the closing of Iupe’s for their commitment, endeavors and unselfish devotion for the statewide betterment of retailing in Mississippi.  Jeane and Joe were life-time members of the Catholic Foundation and members of the Miss. State University President’s Club and Patrons of Excellence.  They were also recognized in the AFLAC Founder’s Room of St. Jude’s Children Hospital in Memphis for their early support of the hospital.

Jeane was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was active in the Mother’s Club. She later joined the Sacred Heart Altar Society where she served as corresponding secretary for a number of years sending notes of encouragement and sympathy to those in the community from the Church.  She was also a former member of the Canton Mid-Century Club. Yet, her most valued roles were that of daughter, wife, aunt, mother and grandmother.

Jeane shared her faith through her humble spirit.  Those who knew her best will remember her devotion and love of family; her loving and caring spirit; her strong and abiding faith and her wonderful sense of humor and quick wit which was always delivered with wisdom and practical advice.  Jeane’s greatest joy was her grandchildren as they enriched her life in numerous ways with their antics, laughter and success in life. Although caring for her husband Joe during his final years and later her own health issues prevented her physical attendance at many of their events and family gatherings, she was with them spiritually as she constantly prayed for them. Her final gift to them will be her legacy of devotion, love and sacrifice for family and her abiding faith in God.  

Jeane is preceded in death by: her husband of 55 years Joe Iupe, Sr . her beloved parents A.G. and Rachel Abide;  her sisters: Stella Abide Malouf  (Alex), Marie Abide Malouf  (Dewey), Louise Abide Ellis (Phil) and brother A.G. Abide Jr. (Pat), and  her nephew Al Abide III. 

Jeane is survived by her five children and their families. Sons: Joe Iupe, Jr. (Sheri) and their children Rachel Iupe Cooley (Austin), Joseph Iupe (Jenna Lea) and Andrew Iupe; Bill Iupe (Terri) and their daughters: Maggie Iupe, Lauren Iupe Chaney (Walton) and Claire Iupe; Daughters, Beth Iupe Lucas (Perry) and their children John Lucas (Hana) and Elizabeth Lucas Henson (Tatum); Linda Iupe Bauer (David) and Pat Iupe.  She is also survived by one great grandchild, Jackson Cooley.  Numerous nieces and nephews survive Jeane as well as her sister in law, Marlene Iupe (Charlie). 

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: John Lucas, Joseph Iupe, Andrew Iupe, Austin Cooley, Tatum Henson and Walton Chaney.

 Honorary pallbearers are her nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and admired greatly for their devotion to their families and the legacies they each carried on in their special ways of her siblings Stella, Marie, Louise and AG, 

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice or: Sacred Heart Altar Society (238 East Center Street, Canton MS 39046);The Madonna Circle of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church  (2705 West River Road, Greenwood MS 38930) or St. Jude’s Children Hospital in Memphis . 

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