Joseph Elliott

Joseph ‘Joe’ M. Elliott arrived in the world on December 31, 1928 and entered the Kingdom of Paradise on September 27, 2022. Born to the late Walter Elliott and Luvenia Williams Elliott of Mayesville, South Carolina, he was the youngest of eight children. In 1938, during Joe’s adolescent years, the family migrated to South Philadelphia, where Joe was enrolled in the Philadelphia school system, later graduating from Edward W. Bok Technical High School. 

Joe became a Christian at an early age when he accepted Christ as his Lord and personal Savior and became a staunch believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Initially, he was a member of the Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, where he studied the word of God for several decades under the prophetic leadership of the late Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Sr., the late Reverend Dr. G. Daniel Jones, and his pal, mentor, and favorite Bible study teacher, the late Brother James Paige. Later in life, Joe became a devoted member of Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia, where he would rejoice in the lessons received about God’s word through Pastor Joe Focht. Under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Gregory Smith, Joe regularly attended Wednesday night Bible Study at the Second Baptist Church of Philadelphia in Nicetown, where he sought and received a greater understanding of the Bible that he treasured. Joe truly loved the Lord; he considered himself a soldier in the army of the Lord, armed with his Bible and breastplate of righteousness. He stayed ready to do battle in the name of the Lord. Joe would confess his passionate love for Christ everywhere he went, spreading the good news that Jesus Christ is King!

After graduating from high school, one of Joe’s most notable achievements was his military service in the United States Army. He was proud of his service, as he was quickly promoted from a private first class to the higher rank of sergeant and valiantly engaged in combat during the Korean war for his country. During his military days, he learned many life lessons, including self-discipline, leadership, and responsibility. These life lessons became the bits of wisdom he passed on to his descendants. In 1953, he was honorably discharged from the military and embraced life as a civilian. Because of his love of country, Joe flew his American Flag daily and strongly encouraged others to do the same.

Following Joe’s military service, he met and courted the beautiful Mildred McFadden. As this courtship blossomed, he quickly knew beyond any doubt that she was the one who made his heart skip a beat. In 1956, Joe and Mildred became husband and wife. When Joe entered the house or a room, his favorite question was, “Where is my wife?” He asked it with authority and vigor, and anyone who heard him knew immediately that God sanctioned this match. The union between Joe and Mildred produced five children. The family built their lives in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. To provide for his family, Joe proudly worked various jobs. He became a master butcher at Cross Brothers Meats, an independent long-distance truck driver, and was a small business owner.

One of Joe’s greatest gifts was debating and engaging others in conversation. His favorite pastime was entertaining his fellow brethren by telling stories about the past. He could capture an audience's attention for hours, talking about the Bible or the good old days. He was a spirited and enthusiastic man who always spoke his mind no matter the audience. He expected his offspring to read their bibles, accept Christ into their lives, have an impeccable work ethic, and always look and do their best. You could not come around him looking unkempt without him commenting on it. He also enjoyed singing acapella. His three favorite songs were “Amazing Grace,” “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,“ recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, and the “Three Little Fishes” by Maria Muldaur. He shared his love of these songs with his offspring, frequently singing them until they were embedded in their young minds. Joe was also a pillar in his community. He took it upon himself as a duty and commitment to know his neighbors and engage them in meaningful conversations regarding the neighborhood, life, and, most importantly, the Bible. 

Joe was honorable, respectable, strong-willed, highly spirited, courageous, and caring. His energetic personality will surely be missed by all who embraced him.

Preceding him in death, parents Walter and Luvenia Williams Elliott; siblings William (Eva) Elliott, Rovenia (Robert) Burgess, James (Dorothy) Elliott, Carlyle (Betty) Elliott, Elizabeth (Albertus) Gilyard, Thomas (Ruth and Chris) Elliott, Samuel (Corrine and Irene) Elliott; daughters, Debbie Culbert and Fannie McPherson-Weathers, son-in-law Calvin Robert Weathers Sr., grandsons, Andre Elliott, and Calvin Robert Weathers Jr. (CJ) and great-grandson Jamar Elliott Henderson. 

Joe leaves to mourn and cherish his wisdom: his loving wife of 66 years, Mildred Elliott, of this union, his children Jacqueline (Simon) Ajetomobi, Joann Elliott, Walter (Pamela) Elliott, Thomas (Julie) Elliott; and another surviving daughter, Diane Dantzler, sister-in-law Theola (Willie) McFadden, a tribe of 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and loyal friends.

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