James Messer Ingram, age 92, known as Joe to most and Pa by all his grandchildren, passed away on Tuesday. September 19th, 2023.  Joe was one of 6 children of Ernest & Eva Ingram.  Raised in Marietta, Joe graduated from Marietta High School.

Joe met Florence Mabry by fortune and his good luck at a common friend's birthday party.  Joe soon asked Flo to marry him and they set sail on over 71 years of marriage. Joe was already serving his country in the US Navy during the Korean War, and was soon joined by his bride in Honolulu, Hawaii at Pearl Harbor Naval Station.

Joe was a self-made man and had a passion for construction, real estate, and the Florida Gulf Coast. He was an amazing provider for his beautiful wife and their three children.  Once he was honorably discharged from the Navy, Joe set out on a path to be successful in many ventures.  He worked for a short time as a barber, but soon wanted to work for only himself.  He opened and ran an auto parts store for nearly twenty years.  He then began new ventures as a home builder, commercial contractor, and real estate broker.

Joe grew up as a child attending Greers Chapel Baptist Church.  He would later raise his family while giving and serving at the same church.  Although Joe would stay quiet about most things, he would never let you get too far down the road without throwing you a lifeline.  He did not always offer advice out loud, but would rather lead by example.  His quiet resolve, inner strength, and ability to juggle all the day-to-day issues of life were some of Joe's greatest assets.

Joe was survived by his wife Flo for one short day before she decided to join him in heaven.  Joe is also survived by his sons, Doug Ingram & his wife Karen, Tim Ingram & his wife Deannine, daughter, Dawn Cox & her husband Jeff.  His brother Ed Ingram and his sister Eve Windham & her husband Herb.  Grandchildren: Brooke Courtenay & her husband Casey, Josh Ingram, Ross Ingram & his wife Sarah, Cason Ingram & his wife Jennifer, Kaitlin Ingram, Jordan Castardi & her husband Steven, Erica Commins & her husband Will, Tyler Cox & his wife Ciara, Austin Cox & his wife Marissa.  Joe is also survived by several great grand-children: Charlotte Courtenay, Sophie Courtenay, Emma Ingram, Sadie Ingram, Lauren Ingram, Rachel Ingram, Zaiah Castardi, Collins Castardi, Finn Commins, Mabry Commins, & Indigo Cox. Additionally, Joe also had many nieces & nephews.  Joe was preceded in death by three brothers; Harry Ingram, Ralph Ingram, and Tommy Ingram.

Joint funeral services for both Joe & Flo Ingram will be held Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Greers Chapel Baptist Church, 1848 Greers Chapel Road NW, Kennesaw, Ga 30144, with Bobby Therrell officiating.  Interment to follow at Greers Chapel Cemetery.  The family will receive family & friends at Marietta Funeral Home, 915 Piedmont Road, Marietta, GA, on Sunday, September 24th, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.