Joshua Magwood, Jr.

Life’s Journey

Joshua Magwood, Jr.

Joshua “Josh/Junior” Magwood was born on July 17, 1946, in Elba, Alabama to the late Joshaway and Emma Roberta Adams. Joshua departed this world on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, in Skyridge Hospital in Centennial, Colorado

Josh attended Elba high school until the 8th grade and left school to help support his family. He worked as a laborer in many different fields to help support his younger siblings. At the age of 17, he moved to Florida to pursue a better life.  He bounced around the country from Michigan, Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York before returning to Elba. Josh attended Elba Zion Baptist Church in Elba, AL.

After his return to Elba, Josh married, Mae Sue Caldwell and from that union they had three children, Mary, Caroline, and Sarah.  Josh eventually moved to the Denver area, and after his divorce from his former wife, as he put it, he became a ladies’ man until he met, Gloria “Mama” Magwood.  He said from the night he saw her in the club, he knew she was going to be mine. He said, “I ran all those other men away.”  Josh and Gloria got married on June 28, 1986, in Denver, Colorado. Josh was a great father and husband and friend to everyone. When asked how he was going to blend the kids together, Todd and Jacquie and his kids from the prior marriage, he said “If they sleep in my house and eat my food, they are my kids.”  He raised them all the same. Josh was a loving husband and often said “I am the King of my castle, as long as Mama is ok with it.”

Josh is loved and respected by all that met him. You could call him for advice, and he had a saying for everything. If he felt you were lucky, he would say, “You are lucky enough to piss in a swinging jug.”  If you would challenge him at a game, he would say “I will beat like you stole a black Cadillac with white wall tires.”  And if you caught him in a lie, he would say “Before I tell you a lie, I will tell you nothing so if I tell you that a chicken dip snuff, you better look under his wing.”  If you had a bad day at work, just call and ask him to sing the Friday Song.  Lastly, his favorite thing to say to his wife was “If you want to go places, just grab hold to this wing,” as he sticks out his arm. Josh had a memorable saying for any situation you encountered.

Josh is an avid hunter and fisher. He loved to take the kids out to teach them how to catch fish. He said, “I need to move back to Elba to teach my nephews how to fish.”  The last time they were all together, he was laughing because he said one his nephews had not caught a fish and his brother was giving him a hard time. Junior, as he is called by his family in Elba, was always a welcome sight when he came home. He talked about picking peas, and how good his sisters could cook. He missed being in Elba.

Josh’s hobbies are fishing, hunting, bowling. playing cards, dominoes, watching the Broncos, Nuggets, and his Alabama Crimson Tide. Josh was a hardworking man.  He worked for Denver Bumper for 30 plus years and retired 2012.  He also worked for the Denver Post delivering newspapers.  He said he really enjoyed that job because his customers depended on him to get their newspaper.  Josh was one of the only carriers that would deliver his newspapers regardless of the weather.  He was better than the postal service.  Prior to his death, Josh was working part time at Ready Labor temp agency to earn his casino and spending money.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joshaway and Roberta Magwood; siblings, Harry Magwood, Lorene Cole, Janie Mae Kelly, Darryl Magwood and Christine Magwood Bradley.

He leaves to cherish his memories:  his loving and devoted wife, Gloria J. Magood of Aurora, Colorado; two sons, Todd Brewer (Lezlie) of Denver, CO, and Markell Magwood of Aurora, CO; four daughters, Sarah Magwood-Caldwell of Aurora, CO, Mary Elizabeth Caldwell-Diggles (Richard) of Kirbyville, Texas, Carolyn Caldwell of Denver, CO; and Jacqueline Brewer of Denver, CO;  two brothers, Dwight Magwood (Ruth) of Jacksonville, FL, and Robert Magwood of Enterprise, AL;   4 sisters, Rosa Mae Austin of Opp, AL; Rachel Moore of Dade City, FL, Joshlyn Gary of Lake Wales, FL, Shelia Magwood of Elba, AL. grandchildren:  Teneash Davis, Joshua Nelson, Ashley (last name), Shayla Fields, Joseph Nelson, Ash’le Tate, Jordan Fuselier, DJ Humphries, Peyton Brewer and Todd Brewer Jr.; nine great grandchildren; and raised five foster sons, Yoshio Allen, Darnell White, Corey Brown, Ray Mack, Akira Allen and Jayonte Schiro and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

A man may die, but his legacy will continue through his deeds. Today, the pain of losing our husband, father, grandfather, uncle is difficult to bear because this world needed you for many more years. We love you more than anything.

Rest in Peace Magwood.