Joe was born in Boiling Springs, South Carolina on November 13, 1925 and was the only son of six children born to Lillie Mae Morgan Campbell and Edgar Allen Campbell. He graduated from Boiling Springs High School in 1941 and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943. Joe served on the USS John Hood as a Seaman, First Class during World War II until 1946. Education was extremely important to him and upon his discharge from the Navy he took advantage of the GI Bill to attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC and graduated from Clemson University in Clemson, SC in 1950. During his college years, Joe married the love of his life, Geraldean McMillan, on July 4, 1947. Their love was strong and enduring and a wonderful example to their children, grandchildren and everyone close to them. Throughout his life, Joe found no greater joy than spending time with and spoiling his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Joe began his career as an electrical engineer with Davis Mechanical Contractors, Inc. After several years of moving around with Davis, he settled his family in Birmingham, AL to take a job with Sylvania. Joe moved through the corporate ranks to the position of National Sales Manager of the Fixture Division with Sylvania in Danvers, MA. The pull of the South was strong though and he once again moved his family back to Greensboro and later to Raleigh to continue his career in the electrical field. Joe served as General Manager for Tarheel Electric in Raleigh from 1970 to 1974, leaving to join United Associates which ultimately became Joe B. Campbell Mfg Rep, Inc. in 1979. He continued to work and grow his business until his retirement in 1991. Joe was active in the Raleigh community for many years, even into retirement, with organizations such as Rotary International and the American Legion.
Strong in his faith, Joe was a member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh for the last 10 years or so of his life. He had previously been a charter member of Crabtree Valley Baptist Church since moving to Raleigh in 1970. Joe served in various ways while at Crabtree but his greatest calling came when he worked in the nursery, teaching and nurturing the babies and toddlers so their parents could attend the worship service. He was also instrumental in the initial building program at Crabtree to build at their current location. Joe was ordained as a deacon while a member at the First Baptist Church of Greensboro, North Carolina. The Lord could not have had a more true and faithful servant throughout his life.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three of his sisters, Annie Lou Campbell Wilson, Ailene Campbell Workman, and Peggy Campbell Weathers as well as his brother-in-law, Ralph O’Neal McMillan.
Joe is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Geraldean McMillan Campbell and their children, Deborah Campbell Wilson and husband, Bob of Litchfield Park, Arizona, Allen Jerome Campbell of Seaford, Delaware, and Roger Carroll Campbell and wife, Aida of Greensboro, North Carolina; six grandchildren, Denise Printup Kowanetz and husband, Jason of Goodyear, Arizona, Danielle Printup Clymer and husband, Jereme of Goodyear, Arizona, Nicole Campbell Natoli and husband, Matt of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chad Joseph Campbell of Shakotee, Minnesota, Cristal Topacio Reyes Campbell of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Chase Everett Campbell of Shakotee, Minnesota; six great-grandchildren, Noah and Emery Clymer, Madeline and Jackson Kowanetz, and Tyler and Ethan Natoli ; two sisters, Betty Campbell Thomas of Jacksonville, Florida and Sara Ruby Campbell of Inman, South Carolina; a sister-in-law, Rebecca McMillan McCraw; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation and love to Joe’s caregivers, Laura Jarman and Carson Shaw and Laura Chadwick for their exceptional care and expression of love to him during his illness. The family would also like to express their gratitude and praise for Hospice of Wake County for their care and support in his last days.
A Christian Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in the church parlor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina 27608 to support their mission endeavors.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park.
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