Joseph Lee Scott

Joe’s story began in Xenia, Ohio on July 11, 1945. His mother, Phyllis Scott felt she could not raise him due to her disabilities, so he was raised by his grandmother as her own. At six, Joe learned the truth that Phyllis was his mother and implored his uncle to tell him where she lived. Armed with this new information, a determined little Joe knocked on her door to be with his newly discovered mother. He was also determined to stay with her and help her turn her life around. This is when they began their time together.

Joe navigated through a tough childhood with hardship and some self-caused stumbles along the way. This continued until one day he looked in the mirror and realized he didn’t want to live a life the way he was. He needed a legitimate job and a real future. Still a young man trying to find himself, he met Penny Lee Fella and her son which he raised as his own. At 19, they married, had 3 more sons and one daughter, and spent 15 years together pushing forward through life’s many ups and downs until they parted ways.

In the early years of caring for his new family, Joe fell back on a skill he had learned during one of those early “stumbles” to make a living. Carpentry. He found a job working in a wood shop, convincing the owner he knew what he was doing. They soon realized he was more of a salesman then a carpenter but kept him on and trained him because he was an extremely hard worker. Eventually this spark and his entrepreneurial spirit blossomed into his own custom cabinet shop in Phoenix called HandCraft Cabinets. HandCraft thrived because of the quality workmanship and hard work that was put into every cabinet. However, Joe was not immune to the hardship of owning a business and the time lost with family. This did inevitably create the opportunity to help dad out and spend time learning his craft. He was a very skilled and creative carpenter way before his time.

When Joe was in his late 30s, he was blessed to have met Idonna Mabel Jordan. This would again change the course of his life. At 38, Joe and Idonna married and began this new journey by merging two families with nine total kids together. This challenge paid off, creating a very large, blended family.

The twists and turns in Joe’s life were not over. His life would change forever in 1986 when he gave his life to the Lord. This passion grew quickly starting with bible studies at the cabinet shop. His passion to do more led him to dedicate most of his life to being a missionary of God. Joe accomplished many more new and incredible things as a man of God. This passion led him and Idonna all the way to China and Joe to Africa twice. God eventually led them to Ohio to start a church with Joe’s uncle. He soon found out that his path was changing again in 1992 when God enlightened him that he was going to be a father again. Joe and Idonna took custody of their 2-month-old grandson Christian. This would be a labor of love since Christian had a traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy. The lord always provided for Joe and blessed his family.

Soon after, Joe and Idonna returned to Arizona to be closer to their family. Upon arrival, Hamblen Chapel became their new yet familiar church family. Joe spent every Sunday there and would minister once a month. Everyone who had the privilege of hearing his sermons instantly knew his heart and will be forever impacted by his words.

Joe had many loves. He loved his wife Idonna, to whom he was married to for 37 years. He also dearly loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved giving us his opinion, taking naps in his recliner, and spending time with his dog Diva. He enjoyed old western shows, wrestling, and especially bacon.

Rough and gruff on the outside, but a big softie on the inside. He had amazing wit and a very spontaneous sense of humor. Using his jokes, acting, and singing he would entertain those around him. Joe made us laugh even when we didn’t want to. We will all miss his spirit, his smile, his laugh, and the love he filled our hearts with.

Joe was very generous to those who were in need. His family has requested that instead of flowers, please donate to the 700 Club or International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. These are organizations that Joe had consistently supported over the years and were dear to his heart.

A visitation for Joseph will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Hamblen Chapel Evangelical, 1614 S. 111th Avenue, Avondale, Arizona 85329.

A visitation will occur Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 1614 S. 111th Avenue, Avondale, Arizona 85329. A funeral service will occur Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 1614 S. 111th Avenue, Avondale, Arizona 85329.

Please join the service via Zoom by clicking on the link:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81681983503?pwd=c3RPSTgvSzRHR1JweGxFZmVUNElWUT09__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!bZr-544dyRfqPN8h_XT6jJVpVP21xlQ4KTSBSKYPHusRgIWakKyph-quhl9sIuSyshDwLvARCg$

Meeting ID: 816 8198 3503

Passcode: 747419

A committal service will occur Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 1:45 PM to 2:00 PM at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 719 North 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009.

A reception at church following committal service will occur Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 2:30 PM, 1614 S. 111th Avenue, Avondale, Arizona 85329. The church family extends that anyone attending is welcome to bring a pot-luck dish to be shared in fellowship with all.