John Paul Houpe of Statesville died on Jan. 27, 2019 following a short illness.

He was born in Iredell County on June 25, 1942, son of the late James Robert and Mabel Turner Houpe. He graduated from Unity High School and worked at Fiber Industry, from which he retired after 31.5 years. On July 3, 1964, he was united in marriage to Frances Lazenby. Early in life he was a member of Piney Grove AME Zion Church in Harmony, and later joined St. Peter’s World Outreach Center in Winston-Salem. There he served as a Senior Deacon and a member of the Ultimate Marriage Ministry. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who loved to garden.

Survivors: his wife, Frances Houpe; 2 sons, Willard Houpe and Kenneth Houpe; a daughter, Cynthia H. Smith; 3 brothers, Charles (Shelby) Turner, James (Juanita) Houpe, and Albert (Shirley) Coulter; 3 sisters, Gladys (Charlie) Feamster, Margaret Pauline (John) Jones, and Connie (Stanley) Parker; 2 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; other relatives and friends.

His funeral service was held Sunday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church and World Outreach Center in Winston-Salem. The Rev. J.C. Hash Jr., officiated and Bishop J.C. Hash Sr. delivered the eulogy. The family received friends at the church one hour before the service. The burial took place on Monday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. at Iredell Memorial Park in Statesville.

Condolences: www.GrahamFuneralHome.net.