Joseph Evans, 82, died on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the Elmhurst Rehabilitation Center in Providence. Born December 31, 1935 in Opp, Alabama Joseph was raised by his grandmother, Lola Evans. It was her who taught Joseph to be the remarkable man his family needed.
At 19 years old, Joseph was drafted for Vietnam. He proudly went with his brothers in arms to protect and serve in the United States Army, he was discharged 3 years later as a Private First Class who specialized as a Field Communications Crewman. He came home with the National Defence Service Medal and immeasurable pride in himself and his Battalion. After returning, he knew he wanted to leave his home in Alabama in search of new exciting adventures - that's how he found himself in Rhode Island. Initially, he was working odd jobs to make ends meet, but eventually he found comfort in working at Brown University as a Service Manager and as a Tractor Trailer Driver... he continued to work these two positions until he was eligible for retirement in 1988, he couldn't retire quick enough.
Joseph shared the last 34 years of his life with his wife Donna Sellers. Leading up to the years of their unity and into the day he went to be with the lord he was blessed with two children, son Joseph Fullen and daughter Joe-Annie (Fullen) Dixon. When Joseph wasn't busy enjoying the company of his family and friends, he was sitting in front of the television, cheering on the GOAT, Tom Brady and his incredible team, the Patriots. As a nearly lifelong fan, he was there for the ups and downs, successes and failures, but his loyalty never wavered.
To add to his delivery of blessings Joseph leaves behind three step-sons, Steven, Anthony and Michael Sellers as well as one step-daughter, Michelle Sellers Chattman, 19 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends, inside and outside of the church.
As his time was nearing Joseph said unto the Lord "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then I would fly away, and be at rest." The Lord replied, "Come to me, my child."
To live life is to experience living; To die is to gain and return back to the Creator.
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