Joe Rigney Futch

Joe Rigney Futch went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the age of 75, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Joe was born on May 7, 1948, to Joe Reed (“Bouy”) Futch and Marie Smith Futch. He graduated from Spearsville High School in 1966 and attended Louisiana Tech University. As a lifelong resident of Spearsville, Louisiana, Joe went on to serve his community in many ways. He owned and operated Joe’s Texaco Service Station in Spearsville for many years. He was a rural mail carrier in the town of Spearsville, where he became a member of the Million Mile Club, an award given for safely driving a million miles or more on the mail route. Joe also served as the Mayor of Spearsville for two terms. What other town can you go to and get your gas pumped and mail delivered by the Mayor?
He was definitely a jack of all trades. Joe was a Civil Deputy under Sheriff Bob Buckey and Sheriff Dusty Gates, retiring in 2021, after 27 years of service. Louisiana Plate # 404 was retired by Sheriff Gates in Joe’s honor because of his loyal service to Union Parish for so many years. Joe was a member of First Baptist Church in Spearsville, where he enjoyed singing in the choir and assisting with sound. Joe was married for thirty seven years to Sue Lazenby Futch and from day one, he embraced being a bonus dad to her three girls, Velvet, Brittany, and Avery, and loved them as his own. Then life became even sweeter when he became a grandpa. Joe had a lot of fun times with family and friends but his best times were with his grandkids, who affectionately knew him as “Joey.” He was an avid bird hunter, speed golfer, dashboard drummer, music lover, and was a faithful fan of the Boston Red Sox. He loved his cats: Sophie, Sylvester, and Sully. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe & Marie Futch; daughter, Velvet Bennett Roberts; brothers, Frankie Futch, Fred Futch, Terry (“Blue”) Futch; sisters, Annie Futch Puckett, and Kay Futch Scarborough; and brother-in-laws, Leo Scarborough and James Bass; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Gardner Futch. He is survived by his loving wife, Sue Lazenby Futch; two daughters, Brittany Canterberry, and husband, Chance; Avery Wilson, and husband, Jerome; and son-in-law, Johnny Roberts, and wife Kristy. He has four grandchildren, Dusty Roberts and wife, Kailee; Kaitlynn Ezell; Savanah Roberts; Hudson Shiloh Wilson; and one great grandchild, Blakelynn Velvet Roberts. He is also survived by two brothers, Ike Futch, and wife Brenda; Curtis Futch, and wife Louise; and one sister, Rosa Futch Bass. Pallbearers will be Jim Rhodes, Sheriff Dusty Gates, Stanley Lenard, Russell Deason, Mark Deason, Steve Lawson, and Burt Green. Honorary pallbearers are Bud Farrar, Joe Barron, and Greg Taylor. Visitation with be at First Baptist Church in Spearsville, Louisiana, on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 5 to 7pm. Celebration of Life will be Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 10am at First Baptist Church in Spearsville, with burial to follow at the Spearsville Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Farrar’s Funeral Home. Special thank you to the Spearsville Fire Department for always being willing to lend a helping hand in the time of his illness. Special thank you to the staff at Arbor Lake, especially the care-givers in the Alzheimer’s unit.
Special thank you to his nurse, Sonya Gray, with Allegiance Hospice Care. While Joe will be missed greatly, our comfort is in knowing that he is with Jesus, our Lord and Savior. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.” – Psalm 116:15