Joe Hunter

May 16, 1931 - January 22, 2021

Joe Don Hunter was born May 16, 1932 in Jefferson, Georgia. He was the youngest of ten children born to the union of the late Esau and Ruthie Gatheright-Hunter. Joe Don was the sibling to transition. Joe passed away peacefully on January 22, 2021 in Gainesville, Georgia. However, before moving back home to the state of Georgia, Joe lived in Riverside, California. Joe worked as a cement mason, an electrician, and he was a member of the Construction Labor Union of Southern California before retirement. Those who knew Joe in Riverside, knew him to be a hard-working man taking care of business and helping others. Joe was happy in Riverside, California and he enjoyed his community there. He enjoyed music, he was a great dancer, a distinguished dresser, he liked working in the garden, working on old cars, and he enjoyed handyman work that allowed him to fix any and everything. He and his buddies in Riverside played checkers, dice, billiards, and he liked to gamble. Many times, you could see him on Park Avenue in Riverside sitting, talking with many of his old buddies and just having fun. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Esau and Ruthie Hunter; two brothers: Buck Hunter, Hoyt Hunter; seven sisters: Mrs. Laurie Cunningham, Mrs. Ollie B. Rutledge, Mrs. Almira Gibson, Mrs. Sarah Ruth Thompson, Ms. Irene Hunter, Ms. Arlene Hunter, Mrs. Mary Watkins. While living in Riverside, California, Joe placed his hands and his heart on a few special children. He helped to raise and mentor these children, helping them to grow to achieve and live up to their potential. Joe never had any children he fathered but there was a lot of children in his life he raised. The children affectionately called him Dad, Pops, Joe, Grandpa, friend, and UNCLE. Joe grew up in Jefferson, Georgia as a young boy and the family attended Jones Chapel Church in Jefferson, Georgia. As a young teenager, the family moved to Thomasville, North Carolina where he was then introduced to Emmanuel Baptist Church. As an older adult in Georgia, Joe was concerned about his spiritual needs. He would sing old gospel hymns with some family members, and that gave him comfort and enjoyment. Joe decided to move back home to Georgia in June of 2019 to be closer to his family. Newly in his return to Georgia, he gained respect from all whom he met in Gainesville. Joes legacy was always giving of himself for those in need. His firmness and his wisdom were the true soul of the man he was. The children he helped to raise loved him, his nephews and nieces all loved him because of his charismatic smoothness. He was an inspiration to all. In leaving for his new home-THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN and now in the Loving Arms of the MOST HIGH-JESUS, He leaves to cherish precious memories his beloved children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren he helped raise from Las Vegas Nevada, Riverside, California and Houston, Texas; many friends; a cousin Mr. William “Wit” Strickland of Thomasville, NC and a host of nephews, nieces, great and great-great grandchildren, nephews from across the globe. Joe Don will not be forgotten; he was genuinely loved by many. This is the last of Esau and Ruthie Gatheright-Hunter out of ten children. Joe was the youngest of the last and the last to enter eternal rest. https://m.facebook.com/WimberlyFuneralHome/?tsid=0.8463934526138301&source=result