Joseph T. Register

Joseph Truman Register, known to many as “Joe”, age 80, of North Myrtle Beach, SC passed away in his home the morning of Thursday, July 13, 2023. Born March 9, 1943, in Sampson County, NC Joe was the youngest of 7 children. He attended Ingold Taylor’s Bridge High School and Wilmington College, now UNC-Wilmington. He met and married the love of his life, Nancy Guthrie in 1964 (59 years of marriage) and moved to Greensboro, NC. Joe and Nancy had 2 children, Karen, and Scott, and resided there 50 years before moving to North Myrtle Beach.

During his time in Greensboro, NC he had a 40-year career in commercial and home elevators; before retiring with his own successful elevator business. He was an active member in the Summit Rotary Club.

Music was a passion. Upon retiring and moving to the beach, Joe pursued his love of music. With more free time, he began jamming with other musicians across southern North Carolina and South Carolina. He was a musician on a local South Carolina radio station, Tiger Radio, WLSC AM, for many years. You could find him many mornings at the local McDonald’s in Shallotte, NC playing for the morning breakfast patrons who came for the music. Joe loved to tell people how he went on cruises and jammed with celebrity bluegrass musicians like Rhonda Vincent and the Malpass Brothers. He enjoyed spending time playing at Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum each month where he met many fellow musicians.

While playing at the radio station, a local author found Joe to be the perfect character for a book she was writing. If you turn to page 15 in the book “A Brick to Remember” by VS Gardner, you will see the character Joe Register playing music for a crowd in the fictitious mystery.

Soon people discovered Joe could entertain a crowd with his many hats and funny songs. He began using his talents to play at church functions, nursing homes and anywhere he could share his love for music and make people smile. If you ever heard him play the stump fiddle, you are smiling now.

Joe loved family, music, church, and the Lord. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; children, Karen and Scott (Julia); grandson, Collin; granddaughter, Mira (Brandon). The family will receive friends on Monday, July 17, 2023, at 11:00 am, with a memorial service following at 12:00pm at the First Baptist Church of North Myrtle Beach. 200 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of North Myrtle Beach Building Fund. 200 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leefhandcrematory.com for the Register family. Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River is serving the family.