Joseph Barnett Weaver, Jr., 92, died Sunday, July 14, 2019.
Mr. Weaver was born March 5, 1927, to Joseph Barnett, Sr. and Viola Booker Weaver in Akron, Ohio. His family relocated to Conecuh County, Ala., where he grew up on a farm. At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to Pearl Harbor during WWII. When the war ended, he returned home and finished high school at Lyeffion School, then graduated from Troy State Teacher's College in 1953. Earning a Masters degree in Education Administration in 1957 at Auburn University, he taught Veterans in Conecuh County for six years. He then taught and coached at Excel High School for five years, then served as Public Relations Director at Southern Pine Cooperative in Brewton for six years. He became Dean of Students and Business Manager at Jeff Davis Junior College, serving additionally as Financial Aid Director, Public Relations Director and sponsor of college yearbook and newspaper. After 23 years at Jeff Davis, he retired in 1989. A member and trustee of First Baptist Church of Brewton, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for more than 45 years, he was a Charter member of the Murder Creek Chapter of the Troy Alumni Association. A member and president of the Greater Brewton Area Lions Club, he was also a combined 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge in Brewton and previously, the Excel Masonic Lodge. Inducted into the Outstanding Educators of America in 1973, he was honored by the Legislature of Alabama in 1990 for 35 years of outstanding service to education.
The funeral was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, at Brewton First Baptist Church with Rev. John Finklea, Rev. Jack Fitts, Rev. Cavin Cawthon and Rev. Ron Headley officiating. Burial followed at Union Cemetery with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Weaver is survived by his wife, Joyce Booker Weaver of Brewton; his children, Jolene Weaver (Shorty) Madden, Joseph “Joey” Barnett Weaver, III and James Donavan (Miriam) Weaver, all of Brewton and Jack Booker (Marthe) Weaver of Monroeville; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Mr. Weaver was preceded in death by his parents.
