Joseph Paul Easley

Obituary For Joseph Paul Easley

Funeral services will be Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., Free Mission M.B. Church, 2229 Florence Avenue, Jackson, MS 39209 with burial in Garden Memorial Park, 8001 Highway 49N, Jackson, MS 39209.

Mr. Joseph Paul Easley, son of the late Ben Easley, Sr. and the late Mary Ellen Easley, was born in Terry, Mississippi on August 6, 1928. Joe grew up on Jones Loop in Terry, where he played with and nurtured his siblings. He worked hard in the fields, side-by-side, with his father and brothers. When he was older, he found employment on a farm in Terry and earned $1.00 a day. Joe would often reflect on his days in Terry, he once said, “a 12 oz. drink costed 5 cents, a loaf of bread costed 6 cents and blue jeans costed $1.98.” He sometimes collected drink bottles along the highway and sold then for 1 cent a piece at the Winn Store in Terry. At an early age, Joe accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Mt. Eva Missionary Baptist Church in Terry, Mississippi. He received his formal education in Terry, Mississippi. In 1953, he moved to Joliet, Illinois, and found employment with United States Steel Corporation. He joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Joliet, Illinois. Joe loved to read and study the Bible. A friend from Joliet said, “Anyone who knew Joe, knew his faith in Jesus Christ. He was a witness to God.” One of his favorite hymns was “Amazing Grace.” Joe loved helping others. He was a volunteer at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Illinois for more than 25 years. He was an active volunteer until he became ill in April 2019. His 18,500 hours of volunteer service included: escorting and transporting patients, greeting families, performing EKG testing on male patients, conducting disaster drills, and scheduling special events. Joe was also a Red Cross volunteer and an avid swimmer that swam 20 laps a day at The Greater Joliet Area YMCA. Joe loved baseball. His favorite team was the Chicago Cubs. He also loved to fly and talked continuously about airplanes. Joe departed life on August 9, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Mary Easley, Sr.; and four brothers: Robert, Eugene, Ben Jr., and Jeff Easley. He leaves to cherish his memories, two sisters: Irene Gray and Jewel (Excell) Butler; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.