Joseph Warnsley, age 88 of Albion passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2017. He was born to the late Frank Warnsley and Ocie Jones in Forest, MS on August 22, 1928. His parents passed away while he was still a child and he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Quilla and Climmie Jones before moving in with his father’s brother, lovingly known as “Uncle Bob” Warnsley and his wife, Miss Abby.
Joseph’s faith in God was strong. He joined Bethel Baptist Church in the early 1970’s and was a faithful member there until he departed this life. At Bethel, he was a Deacon, sang with the Male Chorus and enjoyed fellowshipping with other members until illness made it too difficult for him to attend church regularly. His faith never wavered, however and he provided caring Christian guidance and support to his loved ones and others until he passed away.
Before moving to Albion from Mississippi, Joseph had entered the work force as a saw-mill (lumber-yard) worker. After moving to Albion in 1950 with his wife, Minnie, he continued working as a laborer, first at Corning Glass for a brief time and then at the Malleable/Hayes-Albion until retirement. Joseph and Minnie raised their family, loved them and set a fitting example of generosity, kindness and caring toward family members, friends, neighbors and everyone else.
After the passing of Joseph’s wife, Minnie, he met and married Julia Rosetta (Rose) who has been a blessing to Joseph and his entire family as she has took care of his every need during his illness until the Lord took him home.
Over the years, Joseph enjoyed many hobbies, interests and activities including scripture reading, fishing, hunting, gardening, singing, amateur-barbering, carpentry, crafting hand-made wallets, video-recording, photography and dark-room picture development, CB-radioing, baking delicious pound cakes, making homemade ice cream, politics and all Detroit sports. He was a life-time member of the Masons.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his current wife of almost 10 years, Rose of Albion, and her son, Adreian Gill of Arcadia, FL; his sister Gladys Moore of Bay Springs, MS; Sons: Joe, Phillip (Heather) and Leslie all of Albion, and Bernard (Mae) of Jackson, MI; Daughters: Carolyn Ann Davis of Houston, TX and Edna (Yusuf) Abdullah of Chandler, AZ. Grandchildren: Shelly, Aaron, Stacie, Nikki, Kevin, Ericka, Alexis, Adrian, LaRon, James, Jason, Tahira, Adam, Ian, Brandon, Amir, Kiara, Paige, Justin and O’Neal. Aunt: Dorothy Sprouse of Gary, IN. Cousins: Addie Smith of Detroit, Jewel Robinson and Betty Jean Warnsley of Fort Wayne, IN, Carrie Lee Warnsley-Gonzales of Indianapolis, IN and a host of great and great, great grandchildren nieces, nephews and friends.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Minnie; son, James Warnsley of Forest, MS; daughter Carrie (Patty) Miller; Son-in-laws, Leslie Miller and Joe Davis; Sister Jearlean Warnsley and brother, David Warnsley of Bay Springs, MS.
Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 12:00PM at Bethel Baptist Church, 523 Washington Street, Albion with family hour starting prior to service at 11:00AM with Pastor F.H. Alexander Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Albion Memory Gardens, Albion.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18