Joel “Joe” William Joseph, 70, passed away peacefully in the early morning of September 17, 2026, at his home in Sherrills Ford, North Carolina. He was surrounded by loving family and friends singing Christian music and reading from the Bible, including one of his favorite books of the Bible, the book of Romans (Roman 8:17). Joe was a man of profound Christian faith who loved serving his community and encouraging others in their faith.
Born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1956, Joe grew up to be a true visionary, entrepreneur, and lifelong adventurer. He was a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, a milestone shared with his two brothers.
Joe earned his pilot’s license in 1983 and spent years taking to the skies as an aerial photographer for Aerial Photography Services, Inc. (APS). You can still find his postcards today.
Joe’s vision is clearly seen at Pearl Springs Farm and Pearl Springs Village. Thirty-nine years ago, Joe moved and restored a historic 1908 farmhouse at Pearl Springs Farm. He later went on to develop the boutique Lake Norman waterfront neighborhood of Pearl Springs Village.
When Joe was not building or flying, he could be found on the golf course, around the horse barn, playing music, or tinkering with his hands. He loved his horses, Sugar and Traveler. He loved restoring his old boats and MGB sports cars.
Joe was an avid golfer and a member of Cowan’s Ford Golf Club. He coached SouthLake Christian Academy’s men’s golf program, where he was named Coach of the Year and helped lead the team to three consecutive state championships.
Music was an important part of Joe’s life. He played several instruments, wrote original music, and always had a song in his heart. He will be remembered playing the ukulele and the cajón box. Joe played with the Backyard Dirt Band and several other musicians in the local area.
Over the years, he walked alongside several local congregations, including Rehobeth United Methodist Church, Grace Covenant Church, Denver United Methodist Church, and most recently, Olivet Baptist Church. For ten years, Joe served faithfully as a table leader for the “Walk to Emmaus” community. During October of 1997, he traveled to Washington, D.C. for repentance, prayer, and singing at Promise Keepers’ “Stand in the Gap: A Sacred Assembly of Men.” He was a proud supporter Bruce Hedrick Ministries.
Joe spent his weekends watching golf and cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs and the Carolina Panthers. Loyal to the team, Joe was an inaugural Carolina Panthers PSL holder. He was involved with the Panthers from their beginning, taking aerial photographs of the stadium as it was built.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, William and M. Lynne Joseph, and his first wife, Catherine.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Julie Anne. His brothers, Michael Joseph (Denise), Todd Joseph (Carla); his children, Kaitlyn Kelley (Devin), Benjamin Joseph (Madison); his stepchildren, JD Weiss (Taylor) and Montana Biggers (Trent); his cherished grandchildren, Taylor, Catalina, Hovey, Miller, and Sutton; and his mother-in-law and friend, Dollie Pursley.
The Celebration of Life for Joe will be held at Pearl Springs Farm. The gathering will be at 7841 Vista View Dr. Sherrills Ford, NC 28673 on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Friends and family are invited to drop in between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., with a pastoral message beginning at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joe Joseph’s honor to Shining Hope Farms, a nonprofit equine therapeutic center serving children, adults, and veterans.
Donation Information: https://shininghopefarms.org/donate/
Please send donations by mail to:
Shining Hope Farms
P.O. Box 1036
Mount Holly, NC 28120
No comments yet.