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Cupit spends lifetime looking after others
Published Monday, April 28, 2008
NATCHEZ — Jack Cupit’s calloused, grease and grass stained hands depict not a lifetime of hardship, rather one of giving — these are helping hands.
When the Dart fell on Dixie Drive, Cupit was driving a four-wheeler on his way back from fixing his lawnmower.
His lawnmower was tuckered out from all the work he had been doing that morning cutting other people’s grass.
This he does not for extra pocket change, but out of the helping spirit.
Jack Cupit’s hands tell a story of all of the many things he does for his family and community.
He began his morning by cutting the grass at a church cemetery in Copiah County.
The church stands empty as attendance lulled to a stop from the days his parents were members.
In the cemetery are uncles nad aunts Cupit never knew, yet he still goes to cut the grass around their graves.
“I just keep it up on account of that,” Cupit said.
He then moves on to the lawns of the elderly.
“I cut grass for four or five old folks to help them,” he said.
He also cuts firewood for those who need it.
“I cut firewood for two or three folks not able to buy it or cut it,” he said.
Cupit’s hands have lifted him back onto his feet after several medical downfalls.
Fourteen years ago, Cupit was diagnosed with cancer.
“My doctor told me on a scale from one to 10, it was a seven,” he said.
He retired from his job at Armstrong Tire & Rubber Co. after his diagnosis, and he soon began his volunteering at St. Catherine National Wildlife Refuge, which he has been doing for 10 years.
He does many things for the refuge from working in the office, to help building a four-mile walking trail.
“I go wherever they send me,” he said.
At one point he helped plant 3 million trees in the area and he said so far the trees are looking good, though he won’t see them fully mature.
“I won’t live to see it because I’m 68 years old, but some child might be able to see a forest there someday,” Cupit said.
Another medical recovery was when Cupit fell 16 feet from a tree while hunting 11 years ago.
The entire deer stand caved in and fell with him and when he landed, he broke two vertebrae in his back.
But Cupit recovered and kept holding his hands out to help people.
His hands have steadied the guns of his grandsons as he helped them shoot their first deer and turkey.
Cole, 11, and Carson, 6, often trek out in the woods with their grandfather to hunt.
Cupit said he not only likes introducing them to and teaching them hunting, but it gives them a new skill and activity to do to keep them out of trouble for when they get older.
He said he likes to pass long life lessons to them, too.
“If they’re out there in the woods with me, I’m trying to teach them to be good citizens, to take care of the land and have a good time,” he said.
And if that’s not enough, Cupit also teaches hunting and boating safety.
“And I wash dishes and dust when my wife can get me in the house,” Cupit said with a smile.
He said despite his bout with cancer and the 16-foot fall, he’s got good health and he’s going to use it to help others.
“The Good Lord put us here to help one another and I get satisfaction out of knowing I’m making someone’s life easier,” he said.
Comments
Posted by bbuseck (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 2:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've known Mr. Jack for 40 years and there is no one who is more caring, compasonaite, or understanding than he is. Even through everything that has happened to him and his family, he always makes times for others. If there were more like Mr. Jack, this world wouldn't be such a bad place after all.
Posted by scottswing (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here Here I agree with Mr. Buseck. Without a doubt one of the finest man I have had the pleasure to know. He use to send me letters in the mail once a year and the adress would be "from a friend". He knows who is writing this. He also has touched a number of young people and led them down the path of the straight and narrow. I am not rushing him by any means, but if anyone has the right to get good seats in heaven, I think one of the best seats in the house already has his name on it.
Posted by Usedtolovenatchez (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pardon my ignorance, but what is meant by "the dart fell" ? I may have missed something, but I dont understand.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Usedto: N.D. employees throw a dart at the area map and whereever it sticks they go for an interview and write their story. Much fun and loved by all it's readers. Meet many good folks this way.
Thanks for such a good story today, and big thanks to Mr. Jack for his helping hands and loving heart. Teaching kids the right way to go is an invaluable lesson that can be taught only by ones who love the future. Thanks for giving your time and love to these young ones. They will make better adults for it and carry on your legacy. Boy!! What a legacy to leave them.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Should have told you this is Destiny that's visiting Buttercup for the next two weeks.
Posted by onlythetruth (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a wonderful story. Glad the dart fell on Mr. Jack! Great story and an even greater man! Love you Mr. Jack!
- Rachel White Lipsey
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great Great story!!!! Mr Jack has to be a awesome person....Think of the lives he has changed...SO GREAT!!!
Posted by ko (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jack along with his wife Glenda helped care for my grandmother Alma Fletcher for years. He always made sure her lawn was taken care of. They moved my Nannie next door to them in a trailer they owned about a year before she died. The last month of her life they helped us to care for her and Glenda made sure we were all well fed. They were with us when she passed. To us they are far more than friends they are family. Thank you is not enough for the kindness and love they show everyone. I am blessed to know them.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After reading this article, I am reminded of a song one of my fellow choir members used to sing, "May the Work I've Done Speak for Me."
You have a beautiful spirit, Mr. Cupit.
Posted by allison1977 (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I lived in Natchez several years ago & that was one of the best times of my life. Aunt Glenda & Uncle Jack always made me feel welcome in their house & made sure my little boy & I were fed. I miss them!!!
Posted by galofthe80s (anonymous) on April 28, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I enjoyed reading about Mr. Cupit. It is nice to know that there is still good in the world. I remember my mother, Mytra Wilson Smith, mentioning your name back when she worked at Armstrong Tire Co. She passed away in 1992, but I still get back to town to visit my dad. I also went to school with Mark Cupit. Thanks to the Democrat for a wonderful article. - Chandra
Posted by CarlDCampbell (anonymous) on April 29, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I often check the internet version of the Natchez Democrat, since I was born & raised in Natchez. There is some distance between the Wyoming High Plains & the banks of the Mississippi River. I do too much skimming & not enough reading, since too much of the time what I read is far from the truth. However, this article is 200% total truth. I have known Mr. Cupit since I was a child. He is the example of the kind of man I strive to be. During the last years of my mother's life, Jack & Glenda Cupid became a part of Mamie Campbell's family. Jack Cupit mowed her grass EVERY week. If there was something I knew my mother needed, I called Mr. Cupit, & he would see to whatever was needed. Since my mother passed away last year, I have mixed feelings about returning to visit. When I do, Mr. & Mrs. Cupit will be the first people I see in Natchez. Natchez has some fantastic people, & Jack Cupit is truly one of the finest! Thanks for such a GREAT article!
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