Joe White

Joe Willie White was born on June 11, 1941, in Quentin, Mississippi to his parents, Joe White and Sarah Costley-White. He was the sixth child born in the family of eight. Joe was raised surrounded by his brothers, LeRoy, Julius, Edward "Nick", and his sisters, Mary, Bessie, Ruby, and Velma. His siblings remember him as being easy to talk to and his sense of humor. The family moved to Denver, Colorado for better opportunities. Joe completed his secondary education in the Denver Public Schools when he graduated from West High School. He continued his formal education in Rangely, Colorado at the Colorado Northwestern Community College and went on to attend Metropolitan State of Denver. Joe was passionate about learning, and his education was important to him. On January 21, 1966, Joe enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Vietnam, Germany, Texas, and New Jersey. Joe was recognized for driving artillery military tanks the most miles without having an accident. He received the National Defense Service Medal, two Overseas Bars, a Good Conduct Medal, a Vietnam Service Metal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Joe achieved the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged after 13 years of service. Joe met Gwendolyn M. Stallworth in Denver, Colorado. They were the odd couple, him being over six feet tall and her under five feet, but they were in love. On March 11, 1966, they exchanged vows and became husband and wife. They enjoyed many memorable moments together. The marriage was dissolved after some time. After school, and exiting the military, Joe worked odd jobs, and enjoyed working as a ticket taker at Coors Field being able to interact with the fans. Joe was an easy going man who liked flirting with the ladies and hanging out with friends. His favorite song was, "It's A Shame," by The Spinners in 1970. Joe did not attend church but he believed and loved the Lord. He would say, "No God, No Peace. Know God, Know Peace." He loved all of his family, but his sister, Mary, held a special place in his heart because she helped raise him. In his free time, he enjoyed watching football, basketball, and baseball; he also enjoyed watching westerns like, "Gunsmoke," and "The Rifleman." Joe also liked cooking, and eating different kinds of beans. Joe's longtime friends, Lillian McCray, and Richard "Boots" Smith, along with his good friend, Jaime Banse will all miss Joe's sense of humor and how he would make them laugh. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Sarah White; his siblings, LeRoy White, Julius McGee, Edward "Nick" White, Bessie L. Thomas, Mary H. Kelly, and Velma L. Jenkins. Joe Willie White departed this life on April 11, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn the loss include his sister, Ruby L. Thomas, Brookhaven, MS; nephews, James Thomas, Denver, Robert (Carolyn) Kelly, Aurora, Michael Crews, Denver; nieces, Sarah Thomas, Jayess, MS, Sharon (Robert) Aguilera, Jacqueline (Ashley) Sparks both of Lynwood, CA, Shawnta (Dale) Summerfield, Compton, CA, and Rochelle Woods, Los Angeles, CA; a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 4/22/2016 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 4/23/2016 at 12:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 4/25/2016 at 10:00 AM - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO