John A. Joe Sr., 81, of 709 Nixon Drive, Suffolk, died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at his residence. He was a native of Nansemond County and the son of the late Elfreda R. Joe and Junnie Joe. He was preceded in death by two brothers, David L. Joe and Linwood Joe, and a former wife, Virgie Copeland Joe.

He owned and operated his own business, Joe’s Burial Vault Services, for more than 33 years. He was a member of Missouri Baptist Church and Gates of Heaven COGIC, where he was a deacon.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Ann Joe; five daughters, Constance M. Casper, of Suffolk, Connell J. Adams (George), of Portsmouth, Va., Melody E. Joe, of Wakefield, Va., Sharon C. Artis (Edward), of Waverly, Va., and Brenda Kindred, of Suffolk; seven sons, Alfred R. Joe (Everne), John A. Joe Jr. (Carol), Daniel G. Joe, Brockley D. Joe (Clordelia), Eric A. Joe Sr. (Diana), Joseph Worley and Wayne Johnson, all of Suffolk; two sisters, Catherine L. Reid, of Palm Bay, Fla., and Mattie Mae Parker, of Suffolk; 34 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; aunt, Ruth Holiman, of Connecticut; sister-in-law, Catherine S. Joe; brothers-in-law, James R. Johnson, Wallace Johnson, David Johnson and Billy Johnson; sister-in-law, Brenda Hargett; and other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, at Tabernacle Christian Church officiated by Pastor Sylvester Silver Sr. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. A wake will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 18 at Crocker Funeral Home. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.