Joseph E. “Joe” Brown, Jr., 80, of Decatur, Georgia, died Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Brookdale Conway Senior Living Solutions, Memory Care, in Orlando, Florida.
Graveside services will be held 2 PM, Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Greg Pope officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the funeral home in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Mr. Brown was born March 6, 1941, in Fitzgerald, Georgia to the late Joseph E. & Ruby Steptoe Brown. While a student at Fitzgerald High School, he worked at the Colonial Store and Gottlieb’s. Following his high school graduation in 1959, he obtained his degree as a medical technician from Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Brown worked for the Fitzgerald Hospital until he moved to the Atlanta area. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserves as a medic. Mr. Brown was a member and deacon at Valley Brook Baptist Church in Decatur. In 2010 health issues required him to retire from Atlanta Cancer Care/ Northside Hospital. Since July 2021, he resided at Brookdale Conway Senior Living Memory Care, Cornerstone Hospice in Orlando, Florida.
He is survived by his sister, Patricia Portier & Bill of Orlando, Florida; nieces and nephews: Carol Gould & Dan, Marisa Gould, Jonathan Gould, all of Palm Bay, Florida, Lynn Simpson & Mike, Adam Wadsworth & Tyler Wadsworth, all of Fitzgerald, Paul Portier & Pamela of Orlando, Florida and Kaley Portier of Charlotte, North Carolina; cousins: Jan Howard & Jim of Savannah, Margaret Penoyer & David of Venice, Florida, David Thompson & Chrissy of Reno, Nevada, Tommy Thompson of Tybee Island and Wayne Harrod & Linda of Longwood, Florida. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Wadsworth and a nephew, Stephen M. Gould.
The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the compassionate care and attention given to Mr. Brown by the staff of Brookdale Senior Living, as well as the nurses and staff of Cornerstone Hospice.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials, may send them to Cornerstone Hospice, Orlando Region, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Florida, 32778-9648.