Joseph Edmund Hastings

Joe was born October 15, 1927, in Tallassee, the son of Mildred Mitchell and Francis Gilmer Hastings, while his father was serving as pastor of the First Methodist Church of Tallassee. The life of a preacher’s son took him with his family to several communities in south Alabama and northwest Florida. He graduated from high school in 1945 in Prattville, and later from Birmingham-Southern College.

Following graduation, he joined a mission program of the church and spent three remarkable years serving in India. The stories and memories of those years continued to delight him and so many others throughout his life. Upon his return he enrolled in Candler School of Theology, Emory University, from which he received the Master of Divinity degree.

In 1953, Joe married Betty Kimbrough of Thomasville, Alabama, and was ordained in the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Together they faithfully served churches in Alabama and northwest Florida, including his birthplace of Tallassee.

Disappointed he was not old enough to enlist in our country’s service in 1945, he entered the U.S. Naval Reserves as a Chaplain in 1958 and served until 1972, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He retired from the ministry in 1992, making his home at Lake Martin and later Montgomery, where he spent 29 wonderful years. For several years, Joe continued to serve the church as an Assisting Minister at First United Methodist Church, which became his church home.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 4 sisters. He is survived by his wife of 72 years; 4 children and their spouses: Amy (Larry Yarbrough), Joseph E., Jr. (Cindy), Julia (Dean Azar), and Nancy (Clay Hornsby); 9 grandchildren: Mitchell Hastings, Colin Yarbrough, John Carl Hastings, Will Azar, Andrew Yarbrough, Meredith Hastings Minerva, Warner Hornsby, Joseph Azar, and Judith Hornsby Capps; 8 great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews.

The past 7 years he lived at Oak Grove Inn, to whom his family gives special thanks, as well as to Jennings Professional Services whose caregivers provided him with tender, attentive care and support in recent months. We also thank Baptist Palliative Care and Hospice for their ministry in his last weeks.

Joe’s life was filled with joy. A devoted, loving husband, he was a special daddy to his four children, and adored by his grandchildren (and more recently great grandchildren) to whom he was their “Papa Joe.” He had a deep love of music, especially the music of the Wesleyan church tradition, and hymn singing filled his home and churches alike. For 47 years, the family’s home on Lake Martin was a cherished retreat and family gathering place. Above all, his devotion to God and to the church to which he committed his life was the foundation of the joyful spirit that he shared with all who were touched by his presence.

Gifts in Joe’s memory may be made to First United Methodist Church, Montgomery (2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, AL 36106), or to Embrace Alabama Kids (embracealkids.org).