Joseph Mason Clement

Joseph Mason Clement, 88, of New Bern, North Carolina, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 28, 2025. Joe was born to Donald Hayes Clement and Frances Mason Clement in Durham, North Carolina, on April 27, 1937. His family moved to New Bern in 1941 and he graduated from New Bern High School in 1955 where he was a member of the High School Chorale and the Varsity football team. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1962 with a BS in Civil Engineering and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was a member of the North Carolina and Virginia National Guard.

While Joe was a student at NC State, he was set up on a blind date by a friend and this blind date would prove to be quite the success as he met the “love of his life” Becky Elmore from Suffolk, Virginia. Joe and Becky were married for 62 happy years. Joe began his career with the Virginia Department of Transportation in Suffolk and then transferred to Newport News, Virginia and lastly Richmond, Virginia. In 1966, he and Becky relocated to New Bern so that he could work with his father Don’s road construction business Clement and Johnson, Inc. He would run the business, alongside his twin brother Bob, until their retirement in the 1990’s.

Joe and Becky lived many happy years together raising their two daughters Emily and Hunter in Trent Woods. They enjoyed travelling to all 50 states and abroad as well as visiting family in Suffolk and Raleigh and he especially liked learning interesting facts and tidbits about the places he travelled. Because of his civil engineering background, he was fascinated by road or bridge construction projects and would explain the process involved to anyone in the car riding with him! Joe was a proud NC State graduate and a “Wolfpacker” through and through. He was a season ticket holder at Carter Finley for 50+ years and many fun times were spent tailgating with family and friends and “backing the Pack.” He enjoyed his Friday lunches with friends, the fun gatherings with Becky’s Bridge Club and their husbands as well as his monthly dinner group. He loved to laugh and enjoyed spending time telling stories and reminiscing with his friends.

During his lifetime, Joe served on the Vestry at Christ Episcopal Church, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and a member of the NC Committee for Employer Support of the National Guard and Army Reserve. He deepened his faith by participating in a Men’s Bible Study and he was a member of Garber Church.

His most favorite role began in 1991 when he became “Pop” to his first grandchild and he found such joy in times spent with his 5 grandchildren. He loved taking them on road trip adventures, teaching them silly facts, telling them funny stories and visiting lots of ice cream shops along the way! He loved going on vacation with the family and enjoyed many winter breaks at Massanutten Resort and fun trips to Smith Mountain Lake. The grandkids relished spending time with him while watching sports on TV, enjoying nightly viewing of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, going to the Dunes Club and visiting the Cow Café. Pop became even more blessed when his first great grandchild was born in 2023 and was named after him. “Little” Joe brought such joy, love and laughter to Pop in his last years. Joe/Dad/Pop will be missed by everyone who had the chance to know him.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved big brother D. Hayes Clement, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Rebecca Elmore Clement, his daughters Emily Clement Stewart (Burton) of Raleigh, North Carolina and Hunter Clement Duggan (Bill) of Suffolk, Virginia as well as his grandchildren Bo Stewart (Ellee) of Raleigh, NC, Campbell Stewart Baird (Drew) of Raleigh, NC, Harrison Stewart (Katharine) of Senoia, Georgia, Griffin Duggan of Norfolk, Virginia and Becca Duggan of Suffolk, Virginia as well as his great grandson, Joe Stewart. He also leaves behind his twin brother Bob Clement and his wife “G” of New Bern, NC and their daughter Liza Blake (Walter) and his sister-in-law Clem Clement of Greensboro, NC and her son Hayes Clement III and her daughter Lillian Richards (Norman); his nephew Lon Keith (Sandi) and his nephew Brandon Keith (Cathy). He leaves behind many great nieces and nephews and cousins as well as many adored friends.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and caregivers who provided such love and tender care during his last months especially Kacynthia and Laverne with Gentiva Hospice and the many wonderful caregivers with Home Instead.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 2:00pm at Garber Church in New Bern with a reception following at Morris Hall. A private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joe’s name to Breakthrough T1D in honor of his grandson Griffin at www2.breakthrought1d.org or mail to Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF, PO Box 5021 Hagerstown MD 21741-5021 or to Jane’s Fund at www.shinelikejane.org/donations or mail to Jane’s Fund 7804 Fairview Road P.O. Box 243 Charlotte, NC 28226.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Joseph Mason Clement.