Joseph Randolph Primm

Joseph “Joe” Randolph Primm, age 79, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024 surrounded by his family. Joe was born December 17, 1944 to James Wilson Primm and Eunice Marie Primm in Marietta, Georgia and was the fourth of five children.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1962, Joe earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech while also serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

In 1967, he married Mary Ann Johnson and they had two daughters together, Stacie and Janice. After moving to Birmingham, Alabama, he married Sandra “Sandy” Vann in 1987.

Later, Joe was blessed with his first grandchild, Ashley Lauren, after Stacie married Chris Jones. He was further blessed with two more grandchildren, Xander and Tyler, after Janice married Patrick Glenn. Grandpa Joe was always proud of his grandchildren and loved them deeply.

Joe’s love of learning and his thirst for knowledge led him to make a career change from engineering and sales to academia after returning to school and earning the Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He taught classes at UAB’s School of Business imparting knowledge and guidance to future business leaders.

Joe's passion for education and mentorship extended into his tenure as a counselor at the Small Business Administration, where he advised prospective entrepreneurs. Joe was awarded Small Business Advocate of the Year in 2005 and was awarded Library Champion by the Jefferson County Public Library Association in 2008. After retiring from UAB, Joe continued his contributions to academia by joining the University of Alabama as a valued contract worker until his official retirement at the age of 76.

Joe was a committed Christian and an active member of the Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham. He served the Lord by being involved in the Prolife movement and as a teacher in the youth department at his church. He also served his community by being involved with the Hoover Chamber of Commerce and by volunteering as president of his Neighborhood Association.

Joe enjoyed socializing and had a playful personality that could light up a room. He loved to tease and make people laugh. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching his favorite television shows as well as college football, playing bridge, solving crossword puzzles, traveling and spending time with his family and friends. Those who knew Joe Primm well, know how much he loved his dogs and that he was rarely seen at home without a dog in his lap. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Joseph Randolph Primm is preceded in death by his parents James Wilson Primm and Eunice Marie Primm, and his younger brother, William Paul Primm. He is survived by his wife, Sandy Primm; his two daughters, Stacie Jones (Chris) and Janice Glenn (Patrick); and his three grandchildren, Ashley Lauren Jones, Xander Glenn, and Tyler Glenn. He is also survived by his siblings, Jimmy Primm, Elizabeth Clemmons, and Charlene Brunner, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Metropolitan Church of God located at 2800 Metropolitan Way, Birmingham, Alabama 35243 followed by a Celebration of Life Service for Joe at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts and donations may be made in honor of Joe Primm to Sav-A-Life in Vestavia (www.savalife.org) or to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (www.gbhs.org).