Joe Hellen Christian

He was a graduate of Needham Broughton High School and of North Carolina State University, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Long after graduation, Joe remained an avid Wolfpack fan. You could always count on Joe to be in the stands wearing red and cheering on the Pack.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953, and was stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia. He was an instructor at the QM School and awarded a National Defense Medal.

Joe is remembered by many as a passionate sailor, always wearing his Tilly hat and spending many days on the water. He loved spending weekends racing on the Pamlico and Neuse River. He named his boat “Whisper” because he could not whisper. Later he earned his captain’s license and ran gourmet charters out of Morehead City.

When he wasn’t on the water, Joe was usually playing golf or spending his time in the kitchen. After taking a cooking class in France, Joe became a skilled chef and enjoyed making all types of cuisine. It was always obvious when it was pasta night in Joe’s house, as he would dry his homemade pasta by hanging it over broomsticks throughout the kitchen.

Joe started his career in the textile industry selling fibers. Being the entrepreneur that he was, he founded U.S. Floor Systems, which manufactured Steamex carpet cleaning machines. Joe used his success as an opportunity to help others, hiring underprivileged workers and giving them good jobs and helpful training.

In his later years, he moved to Beaufort and he began several start-up businesses including Beaufort Realty. He served on the Beaufort City Council, representing his community and taking care to help his underprivileged neighbors. During this time, he was also one of the “founding fathers” of The Boys and Girls Club of Carteret County, a cause and organization he held close to his heart throughout the rest of his years.

He lived a life of devotion to his family, friends, and his faith. He was a committed member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beaufort, North Carolina, where he served many years on the Vestry.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Nell and Sidney Christian, brother, Sid Christian, sister, Louise Fleming, and daughter-in-law, Kathleen Christian. He is survived by son Joe Christian, of Raleigh, daughter Cathy Dolan (Frank) of Augusta, GA, son Rob Christian of Raleigh, daughter Nancy Christian of Raleigh, sister-in-law Betty Christian of Washington, NC, special friend Betty Thompson of Chocowinity; along with ten grandchildren: Emily Cutts (Michael), Hanna Jones (Mac), Grace Christian, Franklin Dolan (Lauren), Christian Dolan (Sarah), Ada Dolan, Kendall Werth (Jade), Glenn Christian (Raquelle), Catherine Steelman, Carson Steelman; and four great-grandchildren: Edwin and Holland Cutts, and Mac and Rosie Werth.

Visitation is on Thursday, May 11 at the Carolina Country Club from 5:00-7:00 pm. A service to celebrate Joe’s life and legacy will be held on Saturday, May 13 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beaufort at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Boys and Girls Club of Carteret County, 601 Mulberry St., Beaufort, NC 28515 or The Boys and Girls Club of Wake County, 701 Raleigh Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27610.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh is honored to serve the family.