Joey French, 58-year-old beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, was received unto his heavenly Father on Tuesday morning, March 28, 2023. Joseph Charles French was born on May 10, 1964, in Sherman, Texas to Charles Robert and Brenda Sue Meek French. Joey and his family moved to Carthage in 1978. After graduating from Carthage High School with the class of 1982, he began working in the automotive supply industry, eventually owning and operating JEK Automotive Supply stores in Carthage and Tatum. He is preceded in death by his father, Rev. Charles French; maternal grandparents, Fred and Gladys Meek; paternal grandparents, Cass and Lola French; and nephew Davy Herm.

He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Elizabeth; his loving daughter, Kelsey Yates and husband Eric; precious grandchildren, Colleen and Owen; mother, Brenda Sue French; sisters, Terri French and Beth Hall; father-in-law and mother in-law, David and Beth Tate; and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Carthage with Dr. Allen Tilley officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Mt. Bethel Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday at the church prior to the funeral service.

Serving as pallbearers are David McIlwain, Joe Wooley, Mark Horn, Eddie Blue, Danny Manning, and Travis Shaffer. Honorary pallbearers are Carl Hofmeister, Billy Shepherd, and Danny Tate.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 548, Carthage, TX 75633, Mt. Bethel Cemetery, c/o Susan Grafton Ross, 825 W. Sabine, Carthage, TX 75633, or HeartsWay Hospice of Carthage, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.