NEWSOMS- Joseph Leslie Everett, Sr. was called to Heaven on Saturday, December 21, 2013.

Born October 13, 1927 in Southampton County, he was the fourth child of the late Caleb Roy and Thelma Eley Everett. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine “Gerry” Cates Everett; parents, Caleb Roy and Thelma Eley Everett; a brother, Caleb Roy Everett Jr. and a nephew, Leslie Everett.

After proudly serving his country in the US Navy during World War II, Joe was a 1952 graduate of NC State College in Raleigh, NC. Joe was a longtime member of Barnes United Methodist Church, American Legion- Post 276, Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Southampton County Agricultural and Forestry Museum, landowner member of Newsoms Hunt Club and the Newsoms Ruritan Club. He was the seventh generation farmer of Cedar Dell Farm. After retirement, he enjoyed riding around the farm on his Gator, tending to his garden, deer hunting and attending NC State ballgames.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Marie Everett Hutchings and her husband, Bill, of Highlands Ranch, CO, and his son, Joseph Leslie “Les” Everett Jr. of Newsoms; sisters, Winnie E. Reid of Richmond and Anne E. Mish of Lexington, VA; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Hutchings Santee (husband Eric) , William Hutchings, Jonathan Hutchings, Abigail Hutchings and Kimberly Everett; a brother-in-law, David Cates (wife Laura) of Kingsport, TN; three nephews, Stephen Everett (wife Bonnie) , Rob Mish and Everett Mish (wife Bruce); two nieces, Betsy DeWeese (husband Mark) and Sarah Gordon (husband Morris) and a host of cousins and dear friends.

Visitation will be at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin on Monday, December 23, from 4:30 – 6:30 PM. A celebration of life graveside service, with Naval honors, will be held Tuesday, December 24 at 11 AM in Hollywood Cemetery, Newsoms.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Barnes United Methodist Church, 33701 Statesville Rd., Newsoms, VA 23874. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.