my uncle joe was an amazing man who was a
hoot (to use the term lightly) he was a fun hunting buddy and my brother and I spent a lot of time in the woods with him, the train whistle was something you will never forget in the woods. I respected you greatly and named my oldest son after you.. you will be greatly missed by anyone that came into contact with you. what a cut up,
may you rest in peace///JAMES W. BLEVINS JR. COLONIAL BEACH VA.

 Never say I forget, CaptureThe Memory. Every Good and Perfect Gift Comes  From Above.     

I like to start with a prayer. God is great, God is good, and we thank Him for our food, by His hands we all are fed, thank you Lord for  our daily bread.

I want you to know as a child of God you must never say, I Forget although you can say I can not recall? This will clear it self as I go on.

I was going through the pictures on the memory sight and saw the one of Joe and Patty's 50th, June ,23, 2011.
I do not find it irony that our first born son was June 23, and we named him Joe.

I start with this because as I celebrate Joe's life I remember He use to pick me up and take me with him on a deer hunt and about lunch time, we would meet at the truck and he would have a loaf of bread, with cold cuts, vienna sausage, crackers, long horn cheese cut from a wheel, and coke. Bottle water was not a popular item then.

He never asked what I may want, but some how He knew. It could not have been better if it was catered by a five star restaurant . At 13 or 14 you stay hungry, and Joe always seem to know what would fit the bill.

We hunted for years to come and he was there when I harvested my first deer and maybe the second? Although he was in hearing when I harvested the third deer, he knew he had showed me how to dress my kill and  helped me dragging it to the truck years before, I knew he was not going to answer, I hollered anyway. I knew when he had not answered back the student had arrived at a cross road, going it alone, with what I had been taught.

When you are a living example, you have to know when not to answer.

I have been in the woods many times and have Joe seem to know just where I was and would walk right up on me, I am not sure if it was because we loved the same things, or he was lead by the same spirit? It just happened. Once I went into the woods to hunt deer, harvested a turkey before I got in my stand, and hung it in a tree to keep it off the ground, and Joe walks up under me and stands right by the turkey hanging in the tree, I grinned from ear to ear  because not only was he standing so close but above him I sat and he did not know I was there. I pondered my thought as to how we had been so close, and him not know? The student had become the teacher. I made a noise so he would look up, and you could  see in him, he thought he may have disturbed another hunter? I laughed and asked him what kind of hunter he was? Because the turkey was hanging next to him only a few feet away. I often wonder if he ever pondered that moment.

I remember some things Joe would say, and these would not be the only  proof he will live on.

Joe's saying: What is the matter, is there to much month left at the end of your money?

Did you trade your skinny payment book in for a thicker one? this was after I had purchased a new truck.

His sayings were to make you think, they always left you with the question. One you  had to always go looking for the answer. I remember finding out after my children and his children were long grown, christmas at their house was a treasure hunt, something I would have used had I known.

He had spent his life among judges and doctors and the most popular to me my dad.

One time Joe took us to one of his jobs, a judges house that had a basement filled  with big game heads, where he performed, what most would call magic, I call hard work that he made look easy.
His ability to take drywall mud and make  a work of art and no two were the same was amazing!
This is how I know about the judge.

He took a fishing/ hunting trip to Canada once with my cousin who was a doctor/ pilot, and my dad. It was a private plane, and I heard he was asked what his thoughts were, as they crossed the great lakes at about 6 thousand feet and he was looking down. His reply I am not sure, I can not fly and I can not swim. once again an answer that left you with a question.

One of my last hunting trips with  Big Joe, I will tell you about, although I will leave out the last names to protect the innocent. It was  BigJoe, and Little Jeff, Dale, John, Carl, Big Jeff and Beaver. We arrived at their camp just before dark. Carl was setting up the camper, John was cleaning house, and Big Jeff, Dale and Beaver were told, By Big Joe,Here is some whiskey you all help yourselves. I recognized it from a oyster roast  we had been to earlier in the year. Big Joe and Carl were going to meet and pickup Little Jeff from the truck stop in Toms Brook.

John, Dale, Big Jeff and Beaver  began to partake of the whiskey that was offered, and John had to start out saying You  boys can't drink whiskey? I remember  cold soup, I remember double stuffed oreos, the ones that were left out and the ones that were hidden. I remember Carl saying we were never aloud in his camper again. I remember seeing John reaching into the latrine he said he had dropped his false teeth. I remember Big Joe saying,Who drank all that whiskey? And I remember the look on Little Jeff's face, as to say I should have been here earlier ? I remember the next morning seeing a large buck with big horns and letting him walk, because pulling the trigger on that loud gun was just not going to be worth  the pain. So I am not sure who was saved that trip, although I knew someone was. May have been us all? How long had it taken them to pickup Little Jeff? How long were they gone?

Never say; I do not remember . Capture the memory. Every good and perfect gift comes from above.
Memories are not all good and perfect, although knowing how to answer or not it is the perfect gift. Leave them with a treasure hunt, so what they find will be what they are looking for?

I believe as Big Joe reached the gates of heaven, He was met by  the questioner , one that their  job is to give you question that may cause doubt that you can come in. It can not be a hard question, although your answer will have to be one that lets them know you are a child of God, a question that Jesus has the answer to.

Big Joe, I do not need to know the last names of all that were present on that hunting trip, I do not need to know who ate the cold soup, I do not even need to know who ate the double stuff Oreos. I need to know, How long were you gone picking up Little Jeff?

Joe's answer left no doubt, I can not recall. as only a child of God could answer.

May you rest in peace, I love you. Your nephew and his wife

I will miss my Uncle Joe ,but he is in a better place and is at peace and comfort and smiling happy.

Welcome Everyone and thank you for coming out to wish My Mothers Husband, My Brothers Father, our wives Father In Law and Our Children's Grandfather as well as a Brother, Uncle and Friend a Fond Farewell.  

Today is a day to Celeberate Big Joe's life and remember all those fond memories and cherished stories.

As most of you know, my Dad was the youngest of 17 brothers and sisters and grew up with the love and support of his sister Aldenia and brother-in-law John.  Being the youngest he also received a lot of guidance, love and support from his many brothers and sisters throughout his life. 

Our Father was a kind, generous, witty and fun loving person.  His priorities in life was Family.  A provider to us and the guiding light to show us the difference between right and wrong, the power to be kind to others and the importance of having a good work ethic.  Yes a good work ethic was important, we were never able to call out sick or be late for work.  On many Christmas mornings our Christmas was delayed while he helped Jeff finish his paper route.  A work ethic he instilled in us I see in Jeff, Mike and Me.  I even saw it in our Mom.

Anyone who was fortunate to know him knows that he had one heck of a sense of humor.  He could make you laugh with the stories he told, the train whistle sounds he made, and the jokes he pulled. 

Dad worked drywall his entire life and I can definitely say that he was an expert! From hanging to finishing he was the best I have ever seen.  One of my jobs when working with my Father was a scrapper.  A scrapper is the person that comes in after he has hung the drywall and picks up all the leftover pieces.  I liked cleaning up after him because he rarely had much left over.  He utilized his math skills to ensure that there was no waste.  Believe me, I also cleaned up after other hangers and there was no comparison, they had drywall scraps everywhere!

Mostly, he was a finisher and let me say again, he was an expert.  You could hardly see any of his seams when he was finished.   Let me also say that he was a drywall artist.  His creative artistic ability with drywall mud was amazing!!!  From stippled ceilings, vertical swirls, circular swirls, he was an artist. 

He was also creative with Poetry, many at the expense of our Mother with much love and humor.   I hope you have the opportunity to read a couple of his poems that we have posted on his memory board.  His creativity also continued with the many playhouses that he built throughout the years in our backyard.  We had single story, two story and even three story playhouses.  You never knew where his creativity would take us next.   He also used our home as his creative canvas.  Mom would never know what to expect.  It would not be a surprise for her to come home and find the kitchen floor gone, because he decided without consult that the floor needed to be leveled!   Other times walls would be torn down because he wanted to renovate some part of the house.  I would say that our house was in perpetual renovation mode for over 35 years!

Family, not just our family was very important to him.  It was his brothers and sisters that he cared about and loved that made him the great person he was.  I remember all the times that we spent on Popes Head Road with our many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  It was a time in our lives that he enjoyed and made him very Happy.

He was also a giver and helper.  He was the person that all the kids would come to when they needed to have there bikes fixed.  He was always helping someone, whether it was a kid, a neighbor or friend.  Throughout his life he had many friends, however, for me his two best friends were Butch Kisner and George Peck.  The three musketeers.  Three fun loving friends!

I will also let you know that even though his mind faded due to his 11 year battle with Alzheimers.  He never lost his wit.  It came out at the most impromptu moments.  For example, I picked Dad up from The Insight Memory Care Center and the caregiver asked, Is this your son, his response, I don't know, my wife won't tell me.  I am also aware that there is one thing that also never faded from his mind and that was his Wife Patty.  I was fortunate to be with Dad at Potomac Falls and was feeding him dinner and he gently asked for Patty twice.  His soul mate and the love of his life for over 56 years.

I could go on and on with great stories but I look forward to hearing a few from family and friends.   

I would like to close by thanking several people who supported my Mom and our Dad and Family over the past couple years as Dad declined.  I want to thank and show our eternal gratitude to Abraham and Somora who were amazing caregivers and supported my Mom with ensuring our Dad was cared for with dignity and grace.  I also want to thank Jo and Chuckie Green who were also there when needed.  Great neighbors for over 55 years.

I would now like to turn the service over to Joe's eldest Granddaughter Rachel who will read one of his poems that he wrote for her entitled Rachel

Followed by Lois who will do a reading.

And to conclude, I am very grateful and proud that Beaver Blake, Dad's nephew, hunting partner and friend will speak in conclusion.

One last item, please join us back at the reception hall for Joe's Celebration of Life where food and drink will be served.

Thank you!

Patty and boys,
I am so sorry to hear about joe, I can't count the times he made me laugh at work, canoeing, hanging with George or where ever we were. He was one of a kind and I will miss him.

 Dear Patty and Family,
Sorry to hear about Joe's passing.  He was a great neighbor, had a great sense of humor.  I always enjoyed hearing him whistle while he worked in the back yard.



Sister in law Patty,Joe,Jeff,Mike and family.
Thank you every one that made me a part of   going down memory lane and creating new memories with my brother Joe. No one had a quicker wit,broad grin and laughter that brought sunshine into  many lives.What a good person. Continued thoughts and prayers
 May we all take the time to create memories with the ones we love!

Love and hugs to Patty and family. Earth has lost an amazing man and heaven has gained and amazing angel. God bless you Joe. Thank you for the smiles.

Dear Patty,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  Joe was quite a wonderful character and really nice guy! Glad he is in a better place now.

Aunt Patty, Joe, Jeff, Mike and families, 
May God's warm embrace provide comfort and support now and in the coming days. Sending our love, thoughts and prayers and keeping you all deep in our hearts. CeCe and Jim

Dear Patty and family, our condolences, our memories of Joe, are as fresh as if they are the day they were made. There are few people in life that you can think on, and they leave such a large smile on your face. We loved him so and need to thank you all for the times you let him share with us. Everyone should treasure his memories forever!  Love Carol and Beaver and family

My deepest sympathy to Pat and Joe and the rest of my family. 
Uncle Joe was a good and funny man,just like my father,Baxter Blevins Sr. I will always remember him and, then one day we will see our loved ones. A great day it will be. No more suffering,just peace and comfort.

God's Blessings. !

Patty and family,
So very sorry to hear about Joe's passing.  He was a really great guy, with a sense of humor to match!!  We're keeping you in our thoughts.  Tom and Sue McKee

Patty, Joe, Lois and family!
My  heartfelt sympathy to all of you. I will never forget his kindness, smile & laughter. How fortunate for all of us to know him. 
Much love, Debbie D'Amelio Lichtenberg.

Uncle Joe you were one of a kind, the smartest wit and best humor around.  You brought much joy  and love to my mother, (your sister), I hope she did likewise.   You will be missed very much.  May your Memory be Eternal.  Much Love, your Nephew Jimmie.  

Love and prayers to Patty and family. Uncle Joe was one of a kind. He always made me laugh. We read one of his silly poems this morning and thought about the many ways he brought joy into this world. May he rest in peace.

May God's loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very sad time Psalms 29:11

OBITUARY

Joseph Graham Blevins Sr.

March 3, 1938 – April 29, 2017

National Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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