State Rep. Andy Stepp, whose district includes a portion of Webster County, has passed away at the age of 66. His obituary from Parker Memorial Funeral Home gives his date of death as Dec. 5 but no location nor cause of death was listed. Stepp, a pharmacist in Bruce, won the House District 23 seat representing parts of Calhoun, Lafayette, Pontotoc and Webster counties in November 2023 and was sworn in this January. He defeated Perry Van Bailey in the Republican primary in a rematch of a special election held in January 2023 to replace Rep. Jim Beckett. Beckett resigned to become the executive director of the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff. Stepp lost that special election to Van Bailey by just seven votes. During his time in the Legislature, Stepp served on various House committees, including Drug Policy, Judiciary A, Medicaid, Public Health and Human Services, and Public Utilities. Stepp was also a member of the Bruce Chamber of Commerce, North Mississippi EMS Authority, Rotary Club, Bruce Volunteer Fire Department, Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1189, Mississippi Pharmac i s t s Association and Mi s s i s s i pp i Independent Pha rma c i e s Association. State Rep. Sam Creekmore, chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, told members of Stepps passing at a meeting convened at the Capitol on Dec. 5. I dont know any details, Creekmore said, asking those in attendance for a moment of silence. Just an outstanding individual. Speaker Jason White told Magnolia Tribune he was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of fellow House c o l l e a g u e , Representative Andy Stepp. A freshman member, Andy joined the Legislature in 2024, and as a pharmacist and business owner for 35 years, made a great contribution to legislation, White said. The proud father of two daughters and five grandchildren, please join me in keeping his family in your prayers. Gov Tate Reeves expressed his sincere condolences to the Stepp family. Elee and I are saddened to learn of Rep. Andy Stepps passing, Reeves told Magnolia Tribune. Rep. Stepp was a committed public servant and dedicated to the residents of House District 23. Please join us in praying for his family as we mourn his loss. Funeral services for Stepp were Saturday at Bruce First Baptist Church with burial at Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville. His legislative term goes through 2027. State law requires that Reeves set a special election to fill the House seat within 30 days of it being declared vacant. That election will likely occur in early 2025. Webster County voting precincts in District 23 are parts of Eupora No. 2, Walthall, Bellefontaine, Maben and Big Black, and all of Clarkson, Cumberland and Mantee. Lawmakers return to the Capitol for the start of the 2025 legislative session on Jan. 7.
