WAYNESBORO, Miss. — The family of Joseph Kittrell Sr. is remembering a man of faith and hard work while facing the logistical and financial challenge of fulfilling his final request. Kittrell, a dedicated mechanic known for his kindness, passed away recently after a courageous battle with stage four liver cancer.
Kittrell was surrounded by his large, blended family at the time of his passing. Loved ones describe a man whose life was defined by his strong work ethic, his deep Christian faith, and his devotion as a father, grandfather, and stepfather.
“He fought this illness with everything he had, but his spirit never wavered,” said a family member. “Even in his hardest moments, he was more concerned about everyone else. He was a fixer—he fixed cars and he fixed problems for people he loved. His garage was his sanctuary and his service to the community.”
Kittrell’s final wish was to be laid to rest in his home state of Mississippi, specifically beside his father in a family plot. However, the family, grieving his loss, now faces the compounded difficulty of arranging and funding transportation for his remains from out of state back to Mississippi, in addition to covering funeral costs.
The average cost of funeral services in the U.S. can exceed $7,000, and the expense of long-distance transportation for remains adds a significant, often unexpected, financial layer for families. This has prompted Kittrell’s family to reach out for community support through a modest fundraising appeal, using the hashtag #Mississippi to connect with their broader network.
“This was his last request, to come home to Mississippi,” the family spokesperson explained. “He spent his life taking care of us and others. We want nothing more than to honor that wish with the dignity he deserves. Any help is a blessing that allows us to focus on grieving and celebrating his life.”
The appeal has resonated with friends, former customers from his decades as a mechanic, and members of their church community, who remember Kittrell as a steady, reliable presence.
Funeral arrangements in Mississippi are pending. For now, the family is finding solace in their faith and in the stories being shared of a man who solved problems with his hands and warmed hearts with his compassion—a legacy they are determined to honor by bringing him home.