Joseph "Joe" Norman Silver

Joe was born in Raleigh, NC to Bill and Mildred Silver on January 25, 1953. Although he spent some of his early years in Marion and Shelby, he lived most of his life in Charlotte.

If you ever met Joe, you probably have never forgotten Joe. Born with special needs and a winsome personality, Joe was a lover of people and always enjoyed a good laugh. When you met him, he would always be interested in your family, your job, and where you were from. He always wanted to know what the weather was like where you were. He would never laugh harder than when he heard a car tire squeal, watched a bottle rocket explode, or got someone to wave back at him after a random beep of the car horn. If you ever needed a pen, he certainly had about 10 or more in his shirt pocket but, truthfully, he wasn't really willing to share one with you for very long. He also loved flashlights, key chains, hats, necklaces, rubber bracelets, suspenders, Andy Griffith and Barney, Gunsmoke, and coins. And he certainly didn’t mind if you slipped him a dollar bill or two whenever you saw him.

Joe's life was filled with family and friends. He was loved by many and brought joy to all who knew him. He was one of the first in Charlotte to live in a group home for those with special needs. His many years in the InReach Group Homes provided him with a wonderful rich place to belong and thrive in his day to day life since the 1970’s. The residents and staff there loved him so well over those many years and cared for him faithfully, all the way to the end.

Joe was also a committed member at Hickory Grove Baptist Church for over 50 years. The body of Christ there consistently enveloped and cared for him with a deep and genuine love. Joe was deeply sensitive to spiritual things. His faith was simple, but very real and true. He knew of his need for a savior and he trusted Jesus with his whole heart. We have no doubt that he is now resting peacefully in the arms of Jesus - whole in body, mind, and spirit.

Joe was predeceased by his loving and faithful parents, Bill and Mildred Silver. He is survived by his sister, Anne Silver, of Charlotte and his brother, Bobby Silver (and Bobby’s wife, Laura), of Charlotte. He is also survived by his three loving nieces, Hannah McKnight (Samuel) of Boston, Lydia Wilson (Justin) of Charlotte, and Abigail Gaunce (Caleb) of Auburn, AL. He was especially proud of his two sweet and beautiful great nieces, Marien McKnight and Dorothy Wilson. There are also numerous surviving aunts and cousins who have embraced and loved Joe through the years. He was a man surrounded by many who cared.

Services will be held at the Hickory Grove Baptist Church Harris Campus Worship Center, 7200 East WT Harris Blvd in Charlotte on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and the service will follow at 11:00 am. There will be a short graveside service at the Glenwood Cemetery at 226-252 Huntsville Road, Marion, NC at 3:00 pm the same day.

For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting Joe's online memorial tribute at McEwenMintHillChapel.com and selecting the "Join Livestream" icon on the service section.

In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations may be given in Joe’s honor to either Hickory Grove Baptist Church (https://www.hickorygrove.org/give/) or InReach Group Homes of Charlotte (inreachnc.org/donate).