Mt. Vernon Chapel

08/17/2026

James "Jim" Stancliff

Tupelo- James Anthony "Jim" Stancliff, age 79, passed from this life on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. Born on July 10, 1947, in Bakersfield, California, he was the son of Robert Olin Stancliff and Francis Launa Coleman Stancliff.

A proud, U.S.-loving patriot, Jim faithfully served in the United States Army in Korea. His heart for ministry led him back to Korea as a missionary from 1969 to 1974. A devout Christian and conservative, Jim strove daily to live by his favorite Scriptures: Psalm 23 and the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. He attended Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo.

A Master Woodworker, Jim was the talent behind Treasure Valley Woodworking, creating custom designs for clients including Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks. True to his roots, he was a country boy at heart. An avid car lover, he loved anything with an engine. He was a huge fan of the Boise State Broncos, and later in life, became just as devoted to Ole Miss football.

High school sweethearts who reconnected later in life, Jim and his wife, Kathy, were married in 2015 and relocated to Tupelo from Medford, Oregon, in 2024. Jim will be remembered as a humble, loving, and compassionate man with a great sense of humor, who was always looking for ways to extend a helping hand to anyone in need. Above all, he was devoted to the love of his life, his wife Kathy.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kathryn "Kathy" Laux Stancliff; his son, Grant Stancliff of Grand Rapids, MI ; his stepdaughter, Carrie Kenney (Bryan) of Battle Ground, WA; his brothers, Mike Stancliff of Lakeview, OR, and Phil Stancliff (Kathy) of AZ; his sister, Linda Barrett of Salem, OR; his brother-in-law, Jim Becraft (Diane) of Houston, TX; his sister-in-law, Carolyn Morton of Graford, TX; his granddaughters, Erika and Kayla Holden of Battle Ground, WA; and two grandchildren residing in Israel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Francis Stancliff; his son, Guy Stancliff; and two brothers, Steve and Ron Stancliff.

A remembrance reception honoring Jim's life will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Mount Vernon Chapel, 1716 McCullough Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38801. Interment will follow in his hometown at Westside Cemetery in Lakeview, Oregon. Brother-in-law Jim Becraft and close friend Larry Tierce will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org.

Mt. Vernon Chapel is honored to be assisting the Stancliff family at this time. Online condolences may be shared on Jim's obituary page at mtvernonchapel.com.

View James "Jim" Stancliff's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/15/2026

Such a special event for an even more special cause!!! S.A.F.E., Inc. Northeast Mississippi 💜

08/13/2026

Such a beautiful celebration! 🥹🤍 Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your special day!!!

08/10/2026

What actually goes into planning a funeral?

More than most people realize. There’s the service, burial or cremation, visitation, music, flowers, obituary, cemetery arrangements, and dozens of smaller decisions in between.

The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out at once, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Whether you’re planning ahead or planning for someone you love, Mt. Vernon Chapel can help you understand what comes next.

08/04/2026

No matter the occasion, the space around us shapes the memories we carry long after the day is over.

At Mt. Vernon Chapel, we’re honored to provide a place where families can gather with purpose, comfort, and care for every chapter of life.

Learn more about our venue or schedule a tour today.

07/30/2026

John Schmidt

John Allen Schmidt, 57, of the Richmond Community, passed away on July 29, 2026. John was born October 18, 1969, in Clinton, Iowa, to Jim and Jeannie Schmidt.

John was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, and friend whose greatest joy in life was his family. He enjoyed fishing with his brother Tony, who was his best friend. John served as the Assistant Chief of the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department and deeply loved serving his community through his commitment to the station. A loyal friend to so many, John was the kind of person who would literally give anyone the shirt off his back.

He is survived by his daughter, Morgan Bailey (Jacob); his brother, Tony Schmidt (Gwen); his sisters, Becky Walters (Rodger) and Shelly Johnson (Alex); grandchildren, Jaiden Owens, Marlee Mangels, Rickki Owens, Khloe Lee, Sophia Culver, and Reighlynn Bailey; great-grandchildren, Kinley Jo Mangels and Ella-Kate Rocha; and a host of nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Jeannie Schmidt; his sister, Cheryl Schmidt; and his grandparents, Bob and Ramona Schmidt, Houston Sullivan, and Mary Gilmore.

John's love, compassion, and unwavering devotion to his family and friends will never be forgotten. Though our hearts are broken by his passing, we find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the family he loved so deeply. He will be forever missed, forever loved, and forever remembered.

"Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised."

Services will be held at 6:00 PM, Friday, July 31, 2026 at Richmond Pentecostal Church, 108 County Road 806, Tupelo, MS, with Bro. Rickey Pierce officiating. Visitation will be Friday, July 31, 2026, from 4:00 PM to service time at Richmond Pentecostal Church.

Pallbearers are Willie Teer, Shawn Sawyer, Derrick Sawyer, Dalton Schmidt, Russ Johnson and Ethan Nelson. Honorary pallbearers are the Richmond Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Richmond Fire Department, 117 County Road 800, Tupelo, MS 38804

Mt. Vernon Chapel is honored to be assisting the family during this time. Condolences for the family may be left on John's obituary page at mtvernonchapel.com.

View John Schmidt's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/28/2026

Where you say your vows matters.

We vow to help foster a peaceful, meaningful environment for your special day. Whether it’s an intimate ceremony or a large celebration, our property offers flexible layouts and floor plans for all sizes of events, both indoors and out.

Say your vows amongst our beautiful pecan grove or under the stunning vaulted chapel ceiling. Either way, we’ve got you covered for your “I do’s”. 🤍

Call or email us for a quote today!

07/20/2026

Wishing a Happy Birthday to one of our owners, Jay Darnell! 🎂 Even though he hates the attention, he deserves all the praises.

The Mt. Vernon Chapel as we know it would not exist without him! Please joins us in celebrating Jay! 🎉