Mr. Joe Roland Denson, age 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte following a rapid decline in health.
Mr. Denson was the son of Edith Massey Denson and the late Reverend Joe Roland Denson, Sr. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 1, 1956. Joe loved the era he grew up in. He embraced the "Oldies", which was showcased in his humble collection of 500+ records! Classic cars came and went all throughout his life, the majority of which was the Volkswagen Bug, despite his 6'2" stature. He was notorious for playing cowboys and Indians with cousins and friends leading to perfecting an impression of John Wayne, spending every Saturday morning viewing western films. To top it all, the family answering machine's outgoing message included "Happy Trails" by Roy Rogers, fading into Joe's voice as he introduced each family members' name.
Joe attended Wingate University, where many of the stories he enjoyed telling would begin. After graduating in 1983 with a degree in Education, he pursued his passion of teaching history and implementing his Christian faith at various Christian schools throughout the Greater Charlotte area. On November 7, 1987, he married his sweetheart, Anna and soon after they completed the family he always wanted--a boy and a girl. Joanna and Geoffrey were lovingly raised in Charlotte, where family time was of the utmost importance. Sundays were spent the same way every week. This weekly ritual included church, lunch with his side of the family, and dinner with Anna's mother Wanda after the Panthers game was over of course! Joe and Anna celebrated 30 years of marriage in 2017, and were able to look back fondly on all that time filled with trips to the beach and Disney World, concerts, church events and many other special occasions. Joe was a devout Christian, and was a dedicated member for 11 years at Gracelife Church of Pineville.
Mr. Denson was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Joe Roland Denson, Sr.
He is survived by his mother, Edith Massey Denson; wife, Anna Haines Denson; one daughter, Joanna Denson Morgan (Chad Mackenzie); one son, Geoffrey Roland Denson; one sister, Debbie Denson Campbell (John Fredrick) and a host of other nephews, cousins, nieces, aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Wounded Warrior Project.
The family would like to thank the numerous doctors and staff for the care he received throughout the past several years. A special thank you to the Presbyterian Medical Center for their care and support throughout the last few days of Mr. Denson’s life.
A visitation will be held on Friday, March 23 at 10:00am at Forest Lawn West Funeral Home, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208. The funeral service will begin at 11:00am in the Paul L. Helton Chapel of Forest Lawn West Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend the burial which will be held immediately following the service at Forest Lawn West Cemetery.
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