Joseph Reed McCracken

Joe was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Ruth Reed and Glenn W. McCracken, Sr. Joe graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1948 and was a proud Auburn Tiger, graduating with a degree in Industrial Management from Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn in 1952. While at Auburn, Joe was a member of ΘΔK honor society, ͲKΘ social fraternity, co-editor of the Auburn Engineer, and a member of the Swim Team, a life skill that he enjoyed into his 90s.

Joe married Marcia Morgan in 1952 and served for two-years in the Air Force stationed at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama.

In 1952 Joe joined the Accounting Department of Southern Bell in Birmingham and over the next 39 years he and Marcia enjoyed life as a “phone company” family with posts in Birmingham, New Orleans, and Atlanta. When Joe retired in 1991, they moved home to Birmingham.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Marcia, their son, David Scott McCracken, his parents, his brother, Glenn W. McCracken, Jr, and sister, Anna Ruth McCracken Cook. Survivors include his daughter Carol Lowry, and son-in-law, Dr. Thomas M. Lowry, III of Birmingham. Grandchildren Thomas M Lowry, IV (Elise), Anne Lowry Quinn (Eric) of Atlanta. Great Grandchildren Sam, Brian, Ethan, and Emma, as well as nieces and nephews. In recent years Joe was fortunate to share the company and sweet companionship of Doris White until her death in 2022.

A Graveside service will be held on Monday, September 16, at 1:00 at Elmwood Cemetery with Dr. Paul McCracken (Joe’s nephew), and Dr. Bill Morgan officiating. A Celebration of Joe’s life will be held in the coming weeks.

Memorials may be made to the ministries of Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35213

Carol wishes to thank Dr. Henry Frohsin and caregivers Chanel Thomas, and Tamara Murrell whose guidance and support allowed Joe to remain at home in his final days.